Cellular Functions of Paramecium under Different Conditions.

Abstract

Computer analysis of the negative gravitactic behavior of Paramecium observed in a horizontal microscope provided the following results: There exists a strong correlation between oxygen concentration within the medium and the degree of gravitaxis, and swimming velocity. Treatment of Paramecium with the metabolic uncoupler CCCP had no influence on the negative gravitaxis. In another set of experiments proliferation of differents strains of Paramecium was investigated on the clinostat. All tested strains showed larger fluctuations between cell numbers if two daughter cells were cultivated under 1 g and simulated 0 g than if both cells werte cultivated under 1 g. Statistical analysis of these differences revealed a significantly higher proliferation of homozygous Paramecium tetraurelia 7s under simulated 0 g.