On the fractal nature of cytoplasm

FEBS Lett. 1994 May 9;344(1):1-4. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(94)00321-1.

Abstract

On the basis of a quantification of the fractal dimension, D, in micrographs of cytoskeleton components or microtrabecular lattice, we propose that the cellular cytoplasm can be described as a percolation cluster, a sort of 'random fractal'. Our hypothesis deals with: (i) the existence of the percolation threshold--a remarkable property of percolation processes; and (ii) the reactivity increase--when enzymes, or targets, and substrates, or effectors, coexist in the same topological dimension.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cytoplasm / physiology
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure*
  • Cytoskeleton / physiology
  • Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Mathematics