The Consistency of Ameba Cytoplasm and Its Bearing on the Mechanism of Ameboid Movement

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Abstract
Velocity profile analysis of the endoplasmic stream of the giant ameba (Chaos chaos) revealed a plug-flow pattern characteristic not of Newtonian but of non-Newtonian (structured) fluids. The minimum motive force causing streaming is equivalent to a pressure gradient of 5.6 x 103 dynes/cm3. The motive force could be either a pressure gradient or a directed force transmitted through or developed in the structure which renders the endoplasm non-Newtonian. If pressure is assumed to be the motive force, then apparent viscosities can be computed for any region of the endoplasm the apparent viscosity in the axial endoplasm is of the order of 10 poise, while that in the peripheral endoplasm is about 1/2 poise.
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