Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1934146 | Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications | 2009 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
Optically trapped single cells of the biflagellated, green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, rotate. The rotational dynamics of trapped wild-type and mutant cells show that functional flagella play a decisive role: the entire flagellar apparatus (central microtubules, radial spokes, and dynein arms) is involved. Any aberration in this apparatus leads to non-functionality, indicating a gear-type mechanism. The translational and rotational motions of the wild-type and mutant cells do not differ significantly. Optical forces alone do not play a vital role in the rotational dynamics of this cellular motor, making them useful as probes of the internal dynamics without external influence.
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Authors
Jacinta S. D’Souza, Mohanram Gudipati, Jayashree A. Dharmadhikari, Aditya K. Dharmadhikari, Abhishek Kashyap, Manaswini Aiyer, Usha Rao, Deepak Mathur, Basuthkar J. Rao,