Microimaging of algal bioconvection by scanning electrochemical microscopy.
Local bioconvection generated by algal flagellar movement was imaged by scanning electrochemical microscopy. As a microelectrode probe vertically approached an individual multicellular flagellate alga, Volvox carteri, an oxidation current of a coexisting redox marker ([Fe(CN)6]4-) increased gradually, due to bioconvective enhancement of mass transport, and eventually decreased because the algal body blocked the diffusion of the marker. Two-dimensional imaging of the bioconvection of an individual alga was also possible. The bioconvective enhancement of the current was hindered by a toxic compound that inhibits the flagellar movement.
Shitanda
Isao
I
Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
Yoshida
Yutaka
Y
Tatsuma
Tetsu
T
D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D044446:Volvox / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*