Changes in Paramecium caudatum (Protozoa) near a switched-on GSM telephone

Abstract

The protozoan Paramecium caudatum was examined under normal conditions versus aside a switched-on GSM telephone (900 MHz; 2 Watts). Exposed individuals moved more slowly and more sinuously than usual. Their physiology was affected: they became broader, their cytopharynx appeared broader, their pulse vesicles had difficult in expelling their content outside the cell, their cilia less efficiently moved, and trichocysts became more visible. All these effects might result from some bad functioning or damage of the cellular membrane. The first target of communication electromagnetic waves might thus be the cellular membrane.

Keywords::

• cilia
• cellular membrane
• pulse vesicles

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Zoheir Rachidi, who provided the Paramecium caudatum culture. We sincerely thank François Bellens and François Quitin who measured and calculated the voltage, amperage, and power intensity of the used mobile phone. We stay indebted to Dr. Michael Stachowitsch, who corrected our English. Our greatest thanks go to the two reviewers and the Editor-in-Chief.

Declaration of interestThe authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.