Induction of Conjugation by Using the Mating Inducing Substances, Gamones, in the Ciliate Euplotes as a Teaching Material

Abstract

In the conjugation of a ciliate Euplotes octocarinatus, gamones which the organism excretes into culture medium play important roles in partner recognition. In this study, the method for checking the activity of gamones, the relationship between its storage conditions and the activity, and its stability during heat treatment were examined. The results show that gamones can be useful as a teaching material for understanding the mechanism of conjugation.