The effect of longitudinal tension on the amplitude of the contraction rhythm of plasmodial strands of Physarum polycephalum.
Plasmodial strands of Physarum polycephalum exhibit a characteristic contraction rhythm. The amplitude of the isotonic tension increased linearly with the cube root of relative stress. The period of the isometric tension increased linearly with the amplitude of the oscillation, but stayed constant above a critical value. The above empirical formulae were found applicable for all temperatures employed, 9 to 28 degrees C, but different temperature coefficients were observed below and above 15 to 16 degrees C.
D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000502:physiology; D010804:Physarum / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical