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Analysis of the mechanism of dinoflagellate flagella contraction‐relaxation cycle
Author(s) -
Cachon Monique,
Greuet Claude,
Cosson Jacky,
Huitorel Philippe
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1016/0248-4900(92)90192-4
Subject(s) - flagellum , axoneme , dinoflagellate , biology , contraction (grammar) , biophysics , anatomy , ecology , paleontology , bacteria , endocrinology
Summary— Dinoflagellates possess two flagella. One of them, the longitudinal flagellum, retracts from time to time in some species, such as Ceratium and Peridinium . Additional structures which run along the axoneme seem to be responsible for this particular behaviour. The retraction which is rapid (less than 60 ms) may be subdivided into several steps: i) the undulating movement stops; ii) the flagellum appears then as a jagged line during 20 ms; iii) finally a rapid retraction (20 ms) takes place, the flagellum being folded 20 times inside the cylindrical flagellar pocket. The measurements on video‐records suggest that the R‐fibre shortens to 30% of its original length. The contraction and relaxation mechanism of nanofilaments is proposed to be through coiling and uncoiling dependent on Ca 2+ concentration.