Enhanced Model for Photophobic Responses of the Blue-Green Alga, Phormidium uncinatum

An improved computer-based mathematical model of photophobicresponses in the blue-green alga, Phormidium uncinatum, hasbeen used to simulate the behavior of the alga under variouslight and dark conditions. Under high light intensities, themodel predicts the induction of step-up phobic responses. Thisnovel result could be varified experimentally in vivo. Appropriatefeatures have been incorporated to simulate the effects of ionophoresand the application of external electrical fields; results ofthe computer simulation and in vivo experiments are compared.Several parameters of the model have been varied to specifythe range in which phobic responses are permitted. These parametersallow conclusions to be drawn on the functional correlates inthe living organism. (Received July 13, 1982; Accepted October 9, 1982)