Biomaterial Database

Plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum as a synchronous contractile system. 1978

A Grebecki, and M Cieślawska

The contractile activity of veins and the rhythmicity of the frontal progress were photometrically recorded from cine-film, at numerous points across the whole plasmodium. Graphic analysis of the obtained curves demonstrates the existence of common contraction rhythm over the entire network, coincident to the expansion rhythm of the advancing front. It is suggested that the plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum represents an imperfectly synchronized monorhythmic contractile system.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D010783	Photometry	Measurement of the various properties of light.	Photometries
D010804	Physarum	A genus of protozoa, formerly also considered a fungus. Characteristics include the presence of violet to brown spores.	Physarums