Cytomechanics is the application of the classical principles of mechanics in cell biology. It is an applied science concerned with the description and evaluation of mechanical properties of cells and their organelles as well as of the forces exerted by them. Thus, this topic needs a truly interdisciplinary approach, and accordingly this volume gives an up-to-date account of the current research done on cell division, mitosis, cytokinesis, cell locomotion and cell deformation during normal development and the cytoskeletal role in cell shape. Biologists, biomechanicians, biophysicists, biochemists and biomathematicians here discuss the basic concepts of mechanics and thermodynamics, emphasizing their applicability to cell activities.

Inhalt

Cytokinesis in Animal Cells.- Force Generation in the Mitotic Spindle.- Microtubules in Interphase and Mitosis of Cellular Slime Molds.- Some Basic Principles of Mechanics as Applied to Cytology.- Thermodynamics and Mechanics of Active Cell Motions.- Physical Model for Phagocyte Motility: Local Growth of a Contractile Network from a Passive Body.- Dynamic Cytomatrix - Membrane Interactions in Cell Shape and Organization.- Mechanisms of Membrane Fusion.- Protrusive Activity of the Cell Surface and the Movements of Tissue Cells.- The Mechanics of Morphogenesis in Multicellular Embryos.- Mathematical Models and Analysing Methods for the Lamel1ipodial Activity of Leukocytes.- Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Physarum Cytoplasm.- Biophysical Analysis of Neutrophil Motility.- Three Position Controller for Tensile Regulation of Axon Length.- Patterns of Discrete Cell - Cell Contacts Formed on Erythrocytes by Polycations, Lectins and Polysaccharides.- Neutrophil Granulocytes: A Model for Analyzing the Relationship Between Shape, Function and Cytoskeletal Structure.- The Invasive Behaviour of Murine T - Lymphoma Cells in Vitro.- Active Motion and Deformation in Vascular Endothelial Cells Exposed to Flow.- Mechanical Development of the Notochord in Xenopus Early Tail - Bud Embryos.- Computer - Aided Image Analysis in the Study of Morphogenetic Cell Movement in Vivo.- Slow Electrically and Chemically Evoked Volume Changes in Guinea Pig Outer Hair Cells.- Transient Microtubules in the Ciliate Eufol1iculina Uhligi, and their Possible Role in Morphogenesis.- Large - Strain Kinematics of Deforming Cell Sheets.- Gap - Junction: Braille of the Cell.