Waveform of free, hinged and clamped axonemes isolated from C. reinhardtii: influence of calcium

Abstract The beating of cilia and flagella is essential to perform many important biological functions, including generating fluid flows on the cell surface or propulsion micro-organisms. In this work, we analyze motion isolated demembranated from green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , which act as ATP-driven micro-swimmers. exhibit an asymmetric waveform that known involve superposition a static component, corresponding fixed, intrinsic curvature, dynamic wave component traveling base-to-tip at fundamental beat frequency, plus higher harmonics. Here, analyse free, hinged clamped axonemes using principal analysis. axonemal described with high degree accuracy, taking into account only first four dominant eigenmodes. Our analysis suggests can be alternatively Fourier modes, wavelength λ larger than length filament L ( / ≈ 1.3). Within representation, demonstrate main coexists standing waves. Finally, report effect calcium constituting components find mode most sensitive ion concentration.