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Kate Discovers that Dancing Can Cause Volvox

By zooillogix on May 4, 2009.
i-5daeecd6b1c5af001576bfb26087d31d-katie profile.jpg

by Katie the Lowly Intern

Researchers at Cambridge University have debunked the long standing myth that freshwater algae can't dance. Volvox, while sounding like a herpes medication for mad scientists, is a spherical algae organism made up of only about 1,000 cells. They get their swerve from their flagella (think sperm tails) which they wag around until they create a flow of fluid. This flow of fluid causes them to stay in bound movements with each other; one movement being called a "waltz" and the other a "minuet." Scientists think that the oscillating dance moves make it easier for the microorganism to fertilize their foxy Volvox partner.

i-b797317c5e82d91381100a1846783c0b-Volvox algae.jpg

swing yer half a millimetre in diameter partner 'round

Professor Raymond E. Goldstein, the Schlumberger Professor of Complex Physical Systems in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) said: "These striking and unexpected results remind us not only of the grace and beauty of life, but also that remarkable phenomena can emerge from very simple ingredients."
Mathematicians are very easily amused.

Take a look at these videos if you're looking for ways to freshen up your moves, Volvox style. I know mine have become a bit stale.

The Waltz:

The Minuet:

Tags
dance
bacteria
microbes
volvox

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I thought Volvox was the new hybrid from Volvo. Or is that Volvo-X?

Beautiful!

Your blog is consistently awe-inspiring. Thank you!

Most of the crap that spreads around the internet is like that. In this case, it shows something popular, (Elvis), and it references The World Fair--which is what brings this all together--but it's still basically just rehash.

Most of the crap that spreads around the internet is like that. In this case, it shows something popular, (Elvis), and it references The World Fair--which is what brings this all together--but it's still basically just rehash.