Open Access

ARTICLE

Cytoplasmic Motion Induced by Cytoskeleton Stretching and Its Effect on Cell Mechanics

T. Zhang^*

* Corresponding author. Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks 306 Tanana Drive, Duckering Building, Fairbanks, AK99775-5910. tzhang@alaska.edu

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics 2011, 8(3), 169-194. https://doi.org/10.3970/mcb.2011.008.169

Abstract

Cytoplasmic motion assumed as a steady state laminar flow induced by cytoskeleton stretching in a cell is determined and its effect on the mechanical behavior of the cell under externally applied forces is demonstrated. Non-Newtonian fluid is assumed for the multiphase cytoplasmic fluid and the analytical velocity field around the macromolecular chain is obtained by solving the reduced nonlinear momentum equation using homotopy technique. The entropy generation by the fluid internal friction is calculated and incorporated into the entropic elasticity based 8-chain constitutive relations. Numerical examples showed strengthening behavior of cells in response to externally applied mechanical stimuli. The spatial distribution of the stresses within a cell under externally applied fluid flow forces were also studied.

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