Microfluidic simulation of a colonial diatom chain reveals oscillatory movement

摘要: Diatoms are single-celled organisms with rigid parts in relative motion at the micro- and nanometer length scales. Some diatom species form colonies comprising many cells. In this manuscript, results of a two-dimensional finite element computer model presented. This was established to discover if start exhibit some kind »pumping« behaviour when subjected water flow. To analyze computationally, colony continuously repeated units ten cells is investigated fluid dynamic simulation. first simple model, undisturbed flow allowed for between single The do not move actively, solely moved by water. initial velocity assumed 0.01 m s–1 1 s–1. Acomputational result that does change anymore time called steady state solution. Such solution reached all calculations performed. chain where initially diatoms spaced equally (equidistant spacing) has forces encourage formation cell pairs less distance one another. These from surrounding fluid. paired shows opposite effect: tend un-pair head equidistant again. mutual these two states, i.e., unpaired formations, suggests states lead into each other: simulations suggest exhibits oscillatory movement. movement might facilitate nutrient uptake colony.