Effects of increased salinity on gravitaxis in Euglena gracilis

Richter P, Börnig A, Streb C, Ntefidou M, Lebert M, Häder DP (2003)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2003

Journal

Publisher: Elsevier

Book Volume: 160

Pages Range: 651-656

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1078/0176-1617-00828

Abstract

The unicellular freshwater flagellate Euglena gracilis regulates its position in the water column by means of phototactic and gravitactic behavior. Recent experiments have revealed that the cells switch between negative and positive gravitaxis depending upon environmental stimuli such as solar radiation. In this study, the effect of increased salinity on gravitaxis in Euglena gracilis was investigated. In some experiments it was found that salt concentrations up to 5 g L-1 (in some experiments 10 g L-1) increased the motility, velocity and precision of negative gravitactic orientation. Higher salt concentrations decreased all these parameters. At concentrations of about 15 g L-1, cells which did not become immobile, switched from negative to positive gravitaxis. Positive gravitaxis persisted for several hours or even days when the cells were transferred back to standard culture medium. Most of the cells in cultures exposed to salt concentrations above 20g L-1 lost their motility (partial formation of palmella stages) but recovered when transferred back to standard medium or de-ionised water. Post recovery, the cells showed pronounced positive gravitaxis. Additional investigations on the pigmentation, revealed that the cells showed a complete loss of a carotenoid shoulder in the spectrum, which reappeared when the cells were brought back to standard medium.

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How to cite

APA:

Richter, P., Börnig, A., Streb, C., Ntefidou, M., Lebert, M., & Häder, D.-P. (2003). Effects of increased salinity on gravitaxis in Euglena gracilis. Journal of Plant Physiology, 160(6), 651-656. https://dx.doi.org/10.1078/0176-1617-00828

MLA:

Richter, Peter, et al. "Effects of increased salinity on gravitaxis in Euglena gracilis." Journal of Plant Physiology 160.6 (2003): 651-656.

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