Figure 5. Initial connectivity is essential for predictability of shape changes.

Upon decreasing the (a) initial average F-actin length by the (b) addition of 2 nM capping protein the connectivity of the network is decreased. The fluorescence of the actin network is shown in the images. The gel breaks up into disjoint clusters in b while contracting non-uniformly. Both patterns are of identical size (≈600,000 μm²) and activated during an identical amount of n=20 stimulation cycles.