The Organism as a Whole, from a Physicochemical ViewpointLoeb, Jacques
Science
The Organism as a Whole, from a Physicochemical Viewpoint
Loeb, Jacques
Biology; Life (Biology); Mendel's law
-----------------------+-------------------------------
_Percentage Difference | _Average Angular Deflection of
in the Intensity | the Two Paths of the Larvæ
of the Two Lights_ | towards the Weaker Light_
-----------------------+-------------------------------
_Per Cent._ | _Degrees_
0 | -0.09
8-1/3 | -2.77
16-2/3 | -5.75
25 | -8.86
33-1/3 | -11.92
50 | -20.28
66-2/3 | -30.90
83-1/3 | -46.81
100 | -77.56
-----------------------+-------------------------------
Let us assume that the negatively heliotropic animal is at an equal
distance from the two unequal lights and placed so that at the
beginning of the experiment its median plane is at right angles to
the line connecting the two lights, but with its head turned away
from them. In that case the velocity of reaction in the symmetrical
photosensitive elements of the eyeless larvæ is greater on the side of
the stronger light. Since the animal is negatively heliotropic this
will result in a greater relaxation or a diminution of the energy
production of the muscles turning the head of the animal towards the
side of the stronger light. Hence the animal will automatically deviate
from the straight line towards the side of the weaker light. By the
alteration of the position of its body the photosensitive elements
exposed to the stronger of the two lights will be put at a less
efficient angle and hence the rate of photochemical reaction on this
side will be diminished. The deviation from the perpendicular in which
the animal will ultimately move will be such that as a consequence, the
rate of photochemical reaction in symmetrical elements is again equal.
The ultimate direction of motion will, according to our theory always
be such that the mass of chemical products formed under the influence
of light in symmetrical photosensitive elements during the same time is
equal.
Patten also investigated the question whether the same difference of
percentage between two lights would give the same deviation, regardless
of the absolute intensities of the lights used. The absolute intensity
was varied by using in turn from one to five glowers. The relative
intensity between the two lights varied in succession by 0, 8-1/3,
16-2/3, 25, 33-1/3, and 50 per cent. Yet the angular deflections were
within the limits of error identical for each relative difference of
intensity of the two lights no matter whether, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 glowers
were used. The following table shows the result.
TABLE IX
A TABLE BASED ON THE MEASUREMENTS OF 2700 TRAILS SHOWING THE ANGULAR
DEFLECTIONS AT FIVE DIFFERENT ABSOLUTE INTENSITIES
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