Reversal of ciliary action in paramecium caudatum

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Abstract
Monovalent cation salts induce reversal in the direction of the stroke of the cilia; bivalent and trivalent cation salts with a few exceptions do not. Some acids induce reversal, others do not. The duration of reversed action varies with the kind of salt and with the concentration. As the concentration increases, the duration of reversed action increases to a maximum and then decreases to zero. Bivalent and trivalent cation salts neutralize the effect of monovalent cation salts. The relative amount required varies with the kind of salt used and with the concentration. The amount of a given salt required to neutralize another salt is not proportional to the concentration of the salt neutralized. Weber's law does not hold. The results seem to indicate that ciliary reversal is associated with differential adsorption and consequent changes in electric potential, but that there are also other factors involved.