Magnetic field effects on mitotic cycle length in Physarum.

Large plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum were formed from mixtures of micro-plasmodia grown in shaker cultures exposed to 2.0 G (rms), 75 Hz magnetic fields and non-exposed, control cultures. The exposed cultures had been grown continuously in the field and displayed a longer mitotic cycle than the controls. Mixed cultures display synchronous mitosis and a cycle length intermediate to the cycle lengths of exposed and control cultures. The cycle length of mixed cultures varied with the proportions of the mixture in a non-linear manner. The results are discussed in terms of several models.