IMPACT OF WEATHER CHANGES ON THE GROWTH OF THE UNICELLULAR BLEPHARISMA-UNDULANS (STEIN)

The growth of Blepharisma undulans (Stein) cells durably treated and n ot treated with insulin was followed up for three months with special regard a possible impact of meteorological factors on the growth rate. Thee growth rate of the protozoon was not appreciably altered by weat her changes but the growth curves for cells treated and not treated wi th insulin indicated opposing trends of multiplication under the influ ence of approaching weather fronts. Warm fronts which have a parasympa thic effect and cold fronts which have a sympathetic effect uniformly enhanced the growth rate of the untreated cells and retarded that of t he insulin treated cells.