Based on recent findings from our laboratories, we propose the working hypothesis that the macromolecular organization of the outer cortex is dependent upon a functional link which occurs between actin, gamma-crystallin and metabolism. This hypothesis is rooted in the following observations: (1) actin polymerization is energy-dependent; (2) exogenously added gamma-crystallin modifies the rate, extent and pattern of actin polymerization in vitro; (3) the metabolite L-alpha-glycerol phosphate appears to bind to gamma-crystallin, and (4) glycolytic enzymes occur in an organized array on actin filaments.