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Journal of Experimental Biology 80,299-315 (1979)
Published by Company of Biologists 1979

An Analysis of the Shape and Propagation of Waves on the Flagellum of Crithidia Oncopelti

D. N. JOHNSTON ¹, N. R. SILVESTER ¹, and M. E. J. HOLWILL ¹

¹ Department of Physics, Queen Elizabeth College, London W8 7AH

Ciné micrographs were taken of the flagellated protozoan Crithidia oncopelti under dark-ground illumination. Coordinates of images of the flagella were obtained from the ciné frames by back-projection and automatic data acquisition.

The flagellar waveforms of proximally directed waves were characterized using a Fourier-series method and compared by this means with a number of analytical curves. The shape of a wave remained constant as it was propagated and, of the curves suggested, a wave consisting of circular arcs connected by straight lines gave the best fit.

The variation of bend curvature as bends moved along the flagellum was also found, for both proximally and distally directed waves.

The wavelengths and speeds of proximally directed waves increased linearly with distance as they approached the base of the flagellum, while in distally directed bends the curvature remained constant but the velocity increased as bends moved away from the base.

Causes of the above behaviour are discussed and it is concluded from the variation of curvature with time for proximally directed flagellar waves that unbending must be an active process.