Magnetic Optimization in a Multicellular Magnetotactic Organism

摘要: Unicellular magnetotactic prokaryotes, which typically carry a natural remanent magnetic moment equal to the saturation moment, are prime example of magnetically optimized organisms. We here report measurements on multicellular prokaryote (MMP) consisting 17 undifferentiated cells (mean from 148 MMPs) with chains ferrimagnetic particles in each cell. To test if chain polarities cell contribute coherently total MMP, we used highly sensitive magnetization measurement technique (1 fAm2) that enabled us determine degree optimization (DMO) individual MMPs vivo. obtained DMO values consistently above 80%. Numerical modeling shows probability reaching > 80% would be as low 0.017 for randomly oriented dipoles. simulated different scenarios whether high DMOs attainable by aggregation or self-organization cells. None investigated is likely yield generation MMPs. The observed require strong Darwinian selection and sophisticated reproduction mechanism. suggest life cycle most plausible scenario transmitting one next.