Gravitaxis in Flagellates and Ciliates

Häder DP, Hemmersbach R (2018)


Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes

Publication year: 2018

Edited Volumes: Gravitational Biology I - Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganisms and Plants

Series: SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences

Pages Range: 27-45

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-93894-3_3

Abstract

Motile microorganisms such as flagellates and ciliates use the gravity vector of the Earth to adjust their position in the water column. Oriented movement by gravity is called gravitaxis and can be positive (downward swimming) or negative (upward swimming). In addition, some ciliates modify their velocity according to the swimming direction (gravikinesis). Earth-bound research and experimentation under simulated and real microgravity have revealed that a heavy mass such as a statolith or the whole cell content presses onto a gravireceptor which perceives the signal. In some cases mechanosensitive ion channels have been identified as gravireceptors. The activation of the receptor results in a cascade of reactions which amplify the signal and result in a steering response changing the direction of movement.

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APA:

Häder, D.-P., & Hemmersbach, R. (2018). Gravitaxis in Flagellates and Ciliates. In Markus Braun, Maik Böhmer, Donat-Peter Häder, Ruth Hemmersbach, Klaus Palme (Eds.), Gravitational Biology I - Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganisms and Plants. (pp. 27-45).

MLA:

Häder, Donat-Peter, and Ruth Hemmersbach. "Gravitaxis in Flagellates and Ciliates." Gravitational Biology I - Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganisms and Plants. Ed. Markus Braun, Maik Böhmer, Donat-Peter Häder, Ruth Hemmersbach, Klaus Palme, 2018. 27-45.

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