(A) Plot of cytoskeletal stiffness (ratio of stress to strain) as a function of applied stress measured in living cells using magnetic twisting cytometry in the absence or presence of cytochalasin D (Cyt), nocodazole (Noc) or acrylamide (Acr) to disrupt actin microfilaments, microtubules, or intermediate filaments, respectively, or combinations of these drugs. (B) A spherical tensegrity model built from sticks and elastic strings that was suspended from above and loaded with 0-, 20-, 50-, 100-, or 200-g weights (left to right) on a single strut at its lower end. (C) Stiffness of the entire tensegrity model calculated from the study shown in B and plotted against applied stress compared with that measured using an isolated tension element from the structure. Note that both the tensegrity structure and living cell exhibit similar linear stiffening behavior. (Reprinted with permision from ref. [24]).