Graviresponses in Paramecium biaurelia under different accelerations: studies on the ground and in space

J Exp Biol. 1996 Oct;199(Pt 10):2199-205.

Abstract

Behavioural responses to different accelerations below 1 g and up to 5 g were investigated in Paramecium biaurelia by using a centrifuge microscope on Earth and in space during a recent space flight. Increased stimulation (hypergravity) enhanced the negative gravitactic and the gravikinetic responses in Paramecium biaurelia within seconds. Cells did not adapt to altered gravitational conditions. Repetitive stimulation did not change the graviresponses. The minimum acceleration found to induce gravitaxis was between 0.16 and 0.3 g.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acceleration
  • Animals
  • Centrifugation / instrumentation
  • Gravitation
  • Gravity Sensing / physiology*
  • Hypergravity*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Microscopy / instrumentation
  • Motor Activity
  • Paramecium*
  • Rotation*
  • Space Flight*
  • Swimming
  • Weightlessness*