THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CYTOCHONDRIA AND MYOFIBRILS IN PIGEON SKELETAL MUSCLE

In pigeon breast muscle the mitochondria are the principal site of oxidative metabolism, whereas the myofibrils are incapable of oxidizing intermediates of the Krebs cycle. The mitochondria contain the oxidative enzymes, and the sarcosomes are associated with a factor which accelerates the mitochondrial oxidative rate. The maintenance of myofibrillar contractility and structure is closely correlated with preservation of mitochondrial oxidative capacity and structure. By use of fluoride and dinitrophenol the connection between mitochondrial metabolism and myofibrillar behavior is shown to occur through the process of oxidative phosphorylation.