Motion of Paramecium in static electric and magnetic fields.

Abstract An elementary quantitative model, based on Jahn's “volume conductor” theory, is described to explain the motion of Paramecium in static electric fields (galvanotaxis). An expression for the orientation sensitivity to electric fields is derived. The contraction and eventual bursting observed at high field strengths is attributed to the heating effect of the current flowing through the organism. Several authors have suggested that weak magnetic fields (of less than 1000 oersted) can influence the motion of Paramecium . The possibility of such an interaction is considered in the light of the simple model described: its existence appears to be unlikely.