Cellular Tension and Tensegrity

The journal by Donald E. Ingber (2003) describes cell structure as a mechanical model based on Tensegrity architecture and illustrates how cell cytoskeletal mechanics, movement and shape are controlled as well explain the process by which cells sense and respond to mechanical force. The cells are the basic functional unit of living organisms and have complex anatomy that aid the living organisms in carrying out various life processes. The plants and animal cells have different structures and thus different response mechanisms to mechanical force. In plants, cells have an additional reinforcement that helps the cells to withstand mechanical loads, unlike animal cells that lack cellulose cell walls. The cells are therefore adapted to resist mechanical forces that can distort cell shapes. Other than the cell structures and their associated organelles, cytoskeletal filaments resist and generate mechanical loads triggered by cytoplasmic streaming to ensure that the cells maintain their normal shapes. It is worth noting that cell contents are suspended in a fluid-filled medium called cytoplasm where chemical reactions take place and if mechanical forces are not controlled, they can lead to the destruction of the cell organelles inhibiting life processes.

            Cellular Tensegrity refers to a system of structures that stabilizes cell shape through tensional integrity (Donald, 2003) thereby constraining movements that could lead to distortion of cell shapes. The cell organelles are independent structure each with a distinct function and suspended independently. Without cellular Tensegrity, the suspension of the cell organelles would be interfered with leading to movements of the structures alongside cytoplasmic streaming leading to collisions, bouncing or denature of the delicate organelles. Cells, therefore, uses Tensegrity architecture as proven by research where the two main functional structures are molecular cables and struts that are adapted to both withstanding compression and resisting tensions. The cellular Tensegrity is a reinforcement of the cell membranes and not an independent cell function as the molecular struts and cables originate from the membranes. When mechanical force is exerted on the cell surface, the cell membrane with is a three-layered structure is distorted stimulating the receptor to transmit the information to the cytoskeletal filament to stimulate the appropriate structures to exhibit appropriate response. The system structures also pray a vital role in controlling osmotically generated pressures that would cause cell structures to burst

Conclusion

Cellular Tensegrity is fundamental because the membranes are not adequately structured to withstand high pressure and tensions. The cell membranes are thin and perforated, and thus if uncontrolled pressure is exerted on cells, the fluid medium would be forced out via the tiny poles owing to the high-pressure build up. The cell nucleus is the most delicate cell structure and is suspended at the middle of the cells away from possible effects of pressure.  Without cellular Tensegrity, the nucleus content including genes would be affected interfering with the inheritance of characteristics from parents to offspring. The transport channels within the cells should also be destroyed if the mechanical force is not checked leading to inhibition of transportation of cell secretions and other essential substances and removal of waste products. Cellular Tensegrity, therefore, aids in preventing cell distortion which would lead to inhibition of cell functions.

Reference

Ingber, D. E. (2003). Tensegrity I. Cell structure and hierarchical systems biology. Journal of cell science, 116(7), 1157-1173.