The gravikinetic response of Paramecium is based on orientation-dependent mechanotransduction

Paramecium generates persistent shifts of the membrane potential of a few millivolts depending on its orientation with respect to the gravity vector. The resulting potential-induced modulation of the speed of propulsion is called gravikinesis because it acts to neutralize, fully or in part, sediment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Die Naturwissenschaften 1999-07, Vol.86 (7), p.352-356
Main Authors: Gebauer, M, Watzke, D, Machemer, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Calcium Channels
Gravitation
Gravity Sensing - physiology
Locomotion - physiology
Mechanoreceptors
Membrane Potentials
Motor Activity
Orientation - physiology
Paramecium - physiology
Potassium Channels
Space life sciences
Swimming
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Summary:Paramecium generates persistent shifts of the membrane potential of a few millivolts depending on its orientation with respect to the gravity vector. The resulting potential-induced modulation of the speed of propulsion is called gravikinesis because it acts to neutralize, fully or in part, sedimentation. Gravisensitivity is maximal at neutral orientation, i.e., in horizontally swimming cells, when the gravitational force per unit membrane area is at minimum. Stimulus-response relationships and energetic considerations show that sensing of the gravity vector by a nonspecialized, single-cell organism ranks among the most sensitive mechanoreceptors known in nature.
ISSN:0028-1042
1432-1904
DOI:10.1007/s001140050634