Growth orientation of heart cells on nylon monofilament. Determination of the volume-to-surface area ratio and intracellular potassium concentration.

A new method is described for orienting the growth of embryonic chick heart cells as thin annuli about nylon monofilament. Analytical measurements of cell water, intracellular potassium, cell volume, and cell surface area incorporate several new techniques and provide the quantitative basis for characterizing the respective cell types in the preparation. The measurements support the hypothesis that tissue culture methodology does not alter the morphological and physiological properties of cardiac muscle cells. The preparations are ideally suited for radiotracer studies since tissue mass can be increased while retaining a relatively short diffusional distance.