AbstractA common problem in sensory physiology is the detection of weak signals, such as that produced by the repositioning of statoliths (amyloplasts) in gravisensing cells, from a noisy background. As in other studied biological mechanosensory systems, it is conceivable that the gravisensing process may be amplified by stochastic resonance and nonlinear noise-assisted effects. We therefore investigated the possible dependency of gravisensing on vibrational or thermodynamic noise by examining the effect of external oscillation and temperature on the rate of gravitropic curvature in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) roots. Roots were oscillated for 15min prior to or during gravistimulation, either parallel or perpendicular to the root axis. The effect of oscillation was dependent on its direction as well as frequency and amplitude. Initial curvature was most effectively enhanced by vertical oscillations of 5Hz and 0.5mm amplitude prior to reorientation. Vertically oscillated roots reached half-maximal curvature 32min after reorientation, about 18min earlier than non-oscillated roots. The enhancing effect of vibration on curvature subsided with a half-time of about 20min. The temperature dependency of the graviresponse indicated that thermodynamic noise also impacted gravity perception. For vibrations and temperature studies, the presentation times decreased almost 6-fold. Our data indicate that gravisensing may depend on or be enhanced by thermodynamic or mechanical noise.
Noise amplification of plant gravisensing
Advances in Space Research ; 39 , 7 ; 1119-1126
2006-12-04
8 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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