A surprising feature of many bacterial motors is the apparently conserved form of their torque-frequency relation. Experiments indicate that the torque provided by the bacterial rotary motor is approximately constant over a large range of angular speeds. This is observed in both monotrichous and peritrichous bacteria, independently of whether they are propelled by a proton flux or by a Na+ ion flux. If the relation between angular speed ω and swimming speed is linear, a ω-independent torque implies that the power spent in active motion is proportional to the instantaneous bacterial speed. Using realistic values of the relevant parameters, we show that a constant torque maximizes the volume of the region explored by a bacterium in a resource-depleted medium. Given that nutrients in the ocean are often concentrated in separate, ephemeral patches, we propose that the observed constancy of the torque may be a trait evolved to maximize bacterial survival in the ocean. ; Fil: Di Salvo, Mario Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina ; Fil: Condat, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Observed frequency-independent torque in flagellar bacterial motors optimizes space exploration


    Contributors:

    Remarks:

    CONICET


    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    DDC:    551 / 629




    Dynamics of microscopic world: Bacteria and flagellar motors

    Kudo, S. | British Library Online Contents | 1996


    The presence and absence of periplasmic rings in bacterial flagellar motors correlates with stator type.

    Kaplan, M / Ghosal, D / Subramanian, P et al. | BASE | 2019

    Free access

    Frequency-domain testing optimizes communication systems

    LeCheminant, G. D. | British Library Online Contents | 1993


    Modeling optimizes drive systems

    Davis,R. / Ecostar Electric Drive Systems,US | Automotive engineering | 2001


    Bosch optimizes airbag ECU

    Jost,K. / Bosch,Stuttgart,DE | Automotive engineering | 2001