Wave Forms of Caenorhabditis elegans in a Chemical Attractant and Repellent and in Thermal Gradients

The wave forms and activity patterns of Caenorhabditis elegans were examined on agar in the presence of known chemical attractants (NaCl) and repellents (D-tryptophan), and in thermal gradients. Total activity was reduced in both attractants and repellents. Different combinations of transfers between chemicals were investigated. Two thresholds were found for NaCl: 10(-3) M NaC1 caused reduced activity; 10 M NaCl increased reversals. D- or L-tryptophan influenced neither orientation nor the ability of thermally acclimatized individuals to remain at their eccritic temperature.