The sliding filament model of muscle contraction. I. Quantum mechanical formalism

The quantum mechanical analog of work is defined and discussed by using a simple hypothetical molecular machine, thus enabling the introduction of clearly defined ideas which are necessary for a molecular discussion of biological machines such as the contractile machinery in striated muscle. The problem of control of such quantum machines is discussed and shown to be possible using the concept of a stimulated transition. The problem of "reversibility" is also discussed and shown to have a satisfactory solution for the orders of magnitude of the forces and velocities involved in muscular contractile machinery.