EFFECT OF EXTERNAL FACTORS ON PHOTOTAXIS OF CHLAMYDOMONAS-REINHARDTII .3. CATIONS

The effects of several cations on phototaxis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been studied with the aid of an automated phototaxis monitoring device, coupled with a continuous culture. Sodium, potassium and magnesium ions, if added to the complete nutrient medium, have only slight effects on phototaxis at lower concentrations (10-3 mol), but inhibit at higher concentrations (10-2 mol). This inhibitory effect is not specific because motility is also impaired. Addition of 10-3 mol calcium enhances the phototactic reaction for some hours, but then the stimulation decreases gradually. Addition of 10-2 mol calcium causes strong inhibition. However, the reactivity recovers gradually during the following hours. If 10-3 mol potassium which does not influence phototaxis if added alone is applied simultaneously with calcium, the stimulation by calcium is enhanced. By the addition of 5·10-4-2·10-3 mol Ca2+ or Ca2++K+ cicadian rhythms with an average period length of 24 h are initiated which damp out after 1-2 weeks. If the cells are grown in a calcium deficient medium or if calcium is removed, phototactic activity decreases to very low reaction values or to zero, but is drastically increased immediately after the addition of calcium. The stimulatory effect of Ca2+ ions is specific. Ca2+ cannot be fully substituted by Ba2+ or Sr2+, and phototaxis is reversibly inhibited by lanthanum which is known to inhibit the calcium pump. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.