title: Control strategies for the polarotactic orientation of the microorganism Euglena gracilis.
abstract: A simple mathematical model for the signal received by the dichroic photoreceptor molecules in the motile alga, Euglena gracilis, when irradiated by polarized light, is described and used to test hypotheses for the control strategies employed by the microorganism during negative phototaxis. The model is used to analyse and explain the experimental results of Häder (1987. Arch. Microbiol.147, 179-183).
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Mathematics and Centre for Studies in Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Plumpton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005056:Euglena gracilis / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D009068:Movement / Q000528:radiation effects; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D020283:Photoreceptors, Microbial / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020283:Photoreceptors, Microbial