Dynamics and Rheology of Actin Solutions

Abstract

We describe the dynamic behavior of semidilute solutions of actin filaments (a semiflexible polymer), pointing out some of the rheological regimes present in this biologically important system. We deduce the macroscopic storage modulus and show that over a certain frequency range semiflexible polymers show a novel variation in the shear modulus; the mechanism should be distinguished from Rouse behavior in solutions of flexible polymers.