MICRO-C-OMICS #18: Phototaxis
We rely on our senses to guide our ways, and so are bacteria. Similar to chemotaxis (i.e. bacteria adjusting their movement in response to chemicals ) bacteria can also adjust their movements in response to light. This is important for photosynthetic bacteria because they can move towards areas with better light conditions to perform photosynthesis. Today’s comic is inspired by a cyanobacteria species called Synechocystis. On surfaces, Synechocystis can move directly to the light source by twitching motility which involves extension and retraction of hair-like appendages called pili.
