Biomaterial Database

Spatio-temporal relationships between protoplasmic streaming and contraction activities in plasmodial veins of Physarum polycephalum. 1978

N Hülsmann, and K E Wohlfarth-Bottermann

Plasmodial veins of Physarum polycephalum were investigated by combining cinematographical, morphological, and tensiometrical techniques. Translucent and nontranslucent (thicker) strands remaining in their original position on filter paper were analyzed in respect to their radial contraction cycles and the resulting streaming activity of the endoplasm. A new technique for measuring the flow intensity by a microbalance method allowed testing of the influence of radial contraction on actual streaming processes within a strand. Stationary ectoplasm and flowing endoplasm are involved in a mutual transformation process: thereia an exchange of ectoplasm and endoplasm in the form of protoplasmic streamlets crossing the borderline between the endoplasmic stream and the ectoplasmic tube. Radial contraction cycles show the same time periodicity as the endoplasmic shuttle streaming. Relationships between radial contractions, streaming rates of endoplasm and streamlets between ectoplasm and endoplasm were analyzed. The participation of the ectoplasmic walls in motive force generation and their function in control of streaming throughput is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D010507	Periodicity	The tendency of a phenomenon to recur at regular intervals; in biological systems, the recurrence of certain activities (including hormonal, cellular, neural) may be annual, seasonal, monthly, daily, or more frequently (ultradian).	Cyclicity,Rhythmicity,Biological Rhythms,Bioperiodicity,Biorhythms,Biological Rhythm,Bioperiodicities,Biorhythm,Cyclicities,Periodicities,Rhythm, Biological,Rhythmicities,Rhythms, Biological
D010804	Physarum	A genus of protozoa, formerly also considered a fungus. Characteristics include the presence of violet to brown spores.	Physarums
D003593	Cytoplasm	The part of a cell that contains the CYTOSOL and small structures excluding the CELL NUCLEUS; MITOCHONDRIA; and large VACUOLES. (Glick, Glossary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1990)	Protoplasm,Cytoplasms,Protoplasms
D003595	Cytoplasmic Streaming	The movement of CYTOPLASM within a CELL. It serves as an internal transport system for moving essential substances throughout the cell, and in single-celled organisms, such as the AMOEBA, it is responsible for the movement (CELL MOVEMENT) of the entire cell.	Protoplasmic Streaming,Cytoplasmic Streamings,Protoplasmic Streamings,Streaming, Cytoplasmic,Streaming, Protoplasmic,Streamings, Cytoplasmic,Streamings, Protoplasmic