The ratio of extracellular Ca 2+ to K + ions affects the photoresponses in Stentor coeruleus

Abstract

1. 1. Stentor coeruleus exhibits negative phototaxis (due to phototactic orientation response) and step-up photophobic response (avoiding reaction) to visible light. 2. 2. The effect of Ja-value ([K +]/[Ca 2+] 1 2 ) and calcium ion concentration of the surrounding medium on the photoresponses in Stentor were studied. 3. 3. The both types of photoresponses in Stentor are greatly affected by the Ja-value. A higher Ja-value medium suppressed the step-up photophobic response of Stentor, whereas the organism showed a higher degree of phototactic orientation response in higher Ja-value solutions. 4. 4. The effect of the Ja-value on the step-up photophobic response was opposite to that on the phototactic orientation response. 5. 5. With increasing calcium concentration but at a constant Ja-value, the number of Stentor showing the step-up photophobic response increased, whereas the phototactic orientation response of Stentor was suppressed at higher Ca 2+ concentrations. 6. 6. The effect of the calcium concentration on the photophobic response was also opposite to that on the phototactic orientation response, as in the case of Ja-value effect.