Eucaryotic vs Procaryotic Metabolic Response to a Low-Amplitude Swept-Frequency Magnetic Field

Abstract

Respiration of infant rat cells and of the intestinal flora of the adult rat was measured upon exposure to a swept-frequency (100–200 Hz) magnetic field of 5 mGauss, rms, to determine the metabolic effects of small changes in the ambient magnetic field upon these life forms. Eucaryotic metabolism was found to change sharply after the field was imposed and after it was eliminated, with a recovery both in and out of the imposed field. Procaryotic metabolism decreased gradually upon exposure, and exhibited no recovery. The results suggest a basic difference in the biological systems which may mark a crucial step in the development of eucaryotic biology.