Integrative Neuroscience of<i>Paramecium</i>, a “Swimming Neuron”
Romain Brette
Abstract
Abstract Paramecium is a unicellular organism that swims in fresh water by beating thousands of cilia. When it is stimulated (mechanically, chemically, optically, thermally…), it often swims backward then turns and swims forward again. This “avoiding reaction” is triggered by a calcium-based action potential. For this reason, some authors have called Paramecium a “swimming neuron.” This review summarizes current knowledge about the physiological basis of behavior of Paramecium .
Topics & Concepts
ParameciumNeuroscienceParamecium caudatumCiliumAction (physics)NeuronBiologyPhysicsCell biologyQuantum mechanicsPhotoreceptor and optogenetics researchProtist diversity and phylogenyPlant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies