ENERGY EXPENDITURE FOR GLIDING MOTILITY IN A BLUE‐GREEN ALGA1

Abstract
SUMMARY: The energy required to overcome viscous drag in a gliding trichome of a blue‐green alga advancing and rotating through a medium of known viscosity (67 poise at 25 C) has been calculated to be about 0.05% of the energy available from oxidative phosphorylation (based on respiration measurements), whereas 0.2–5% are possible figures for the amount actually expended. These values represent a low energy demand for a function of probable high survival value, but are comparable to estimates for motility in flagellated cells.

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