The mechanism of diatom locomotion. I. An ultrastructural study of the motility apparatus

Abstract

Observations of raphe-associated cell structure of the diatom Navicula cuspidata suggest the involvement in cell locomotion of secretory vesicles, the locally specialized plasmalemma opposite the raphe, microfilamentous bundles and strands of mucilage in the raphe. It is proposed th at diatoms are propelled by the flow of adhesive strands of mucilage that project from the raphe, powered and controlled by a membrane-associated microfilamentous system.