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Simultaneous coupling of phototaxis and electrotaxis in Volvox algae

Hayashi, Y. and Sugawara, K. (2014) Simultaneous coupling of phototaxis and electrotaxis in Volvox algae. Physical Review E, 89 (4). 042714. ISSN 1539-3755

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.89.042714

Abstract/Summary

In nature, living creatures are affected by several stimuli simultaneously. The response of living creatures to stimuli is called taxis. In order to reveal the principles of taxis behavior in response to complex stimuli, we simultaneously applied photostimulation and electric stimulation perpendicularly to a Volvox algae solution. The probability distribution of the swimming direction showed that a large population of swimming cells moved in a direction that was the result of the composition of phototaxis and electrotaxis. More surprisingly, we uncovered the coupling of signs of taxis, i.e., coupling of phototaxis and electrotaxis induced positive electrotaxis, which did not emerge in the single stimulation experiments. We qualitatively explained the coupling of taxis based on the polarization of the swimming cells induced by the simultaneous photo- and electric stimulation.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences > Department of Bio-Engineering
ID Code:37408
Publisher:American Physical Society

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