Physiological Studies on Pea Tendrils. III. ATPase Activity and Contractility Associated with Coiling

Extracts of the tendrils of Pisum sativum, Var. Alaska, exhibit adenosine triphosphatase activity which is inversely proportional to the amount the tendrils have coiled. The specific viscosity of the extract decreases when ATP is added. This evidence indicates a possible role of a contractile adenosine triphosphatase in coiling.