Hydrodynamic vs. intracellular coupling in synchronization of eukaryotic flagella (INVITED)

Abstract eng:
We investigate the influence of hydrodynamic forces on the synchronization of two eukaryotic flagella by triggering phaselocking between a controlled external flow and the flagella of C. reinhardtii cells. We directly measure the hydrodynamic forces required for synchronization between the controlled hydrodynamic forcing and beating flagella. We find these forces to be over an order of magnitude larger than hydrodynamic forces experienced by C. reinhardtii in physiological conditions. Our results suggest that synchronization is due instead to coupling through cell internal fibers connecting the flagella inside the cell body. This conclusion is confirmed by observations of the vfl3 mutant, with impaired mechanical connection between the flagella. For these mutants, we do not observe consistent flagellar synchronization.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket