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Published on: May 28, 2007
Hydrodynamic phase locking of swimming microorganisms
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla California 92093-0411, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|October 2, 2009
Summary
Microorganisms like spermatozoa synchronize flagellar waves through hydrodynamic forces alone. This phase locking behavior stems from the geometric asymmetry of their flagellar motion, influencing energy dissipation.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Microbiology
Background:
- Many microorganisms, including spermatozoa, exhibit synchronized flagellar beating when in close proximity.
- This synchronization is crucial for coordinated movement and efficient swimming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of flagellar synchronization in microorganisms.
- To determine if hydrodynamic forces alone can explain phase locking behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a simplified mathematical model of two infinite, parallel, two-dimensional waving sheets representing flagella.
- Analyzed the hydrodynamic interactions and resulting phase dynamics between the sheets.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that hydrodynamic forces are sufficient to induce flagellar phase locking.
- Identified the front-back asymmetry of the flagellar waveform's geometry as the origin of this synchronization.
- Showed that the evolution of phase difference is solely dependent on the nature of this geometric asymmetry.
Conclusions:
- Hydrodynamic interactions and geometric asymmetry of flagellar waveforms drive synchronization in microorganisms.
- Microorganisms can achieve phase-locked states that either minimize or maximize energy dissipation, suggesting adaptive strategies.
