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Published on: December 2, 2016
Growth of the Cellular Slime Mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, Is Gravity Dependent
1Mitsubishi-Kasei Institute of Life Sciences, 11 Minamiooya, Machida, Tokyo 194, Japan.
Abstract:
The effect of artificial gravity on the growth of a microorganism, Dictyostelium discoideum, was studied and the following results were obtained: (a) Germination efficiency increased as gravity increased up to 3 gravities. (b) Cell differentiation was influenced by gravity. Retardation of spore formation or reduction in the spore fraction was observed at hypergravity. (c) Fruiting bodies were taller at hypergravity and smaller at simulated microgravity when compared at 1 gravity. It is suggested that modulation of gravity provides useful information on the mechanisms of life.
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