Experimental Differentiation between Phototaxis and Motility in Chlamydomonas snowiae

A reversible inhibition of phototaxis by acetic acid is demonstrated in Chlamydomonas snowiae. The inhibition is dependent on the pH of the medium and on the concentration of the inhibitor and does not act by affecting motility. Some substances closely related to fatty acids are also shown to be inhibitors of phototaxis, while certain metabolites have no effect. The possible mechanism by which the phototactic response is prevented is discussed.