Java applet with computer simulation of gravitropic reaction must be opened here. Currently Java is supported by Netscape Naigator and Microsoft Internet explorer.

This program is a Java realisation of the model on the spatial organisation of the gravitropic reaction. It predicts how the shape of the bending axial organ changes during the process of the gravitropic reaction. To compare with actual experimental data, tick the corresponding check box.

To modify such external factors as the strength of the gravity vector and initial angle of orientation, use the corresponding dialog fields in the bottom of the applet. You might like to find out, for example, how a fruit body would react to being placed horizontal on the surface of Mars (g = 0.38), Saturn (g = 0.92) or Jupiter (g = 2.36). The model will predict how the Coprinopsis (= Coprinus) stem will respond in each of these circumstances.

We leave it to you to arrange how to test those predictions.

To see how the bending process will look without taking into consideration some of the assumptions used in creating the model, uncheck the corresponding check boxes.

The model was fitted to the gravitropic reaction of different experimental subjects. For the little Inkcap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea (= Coprinus cinereus (=Coprinopsis cinerea)) it was also fitted to the reaction of stems treated with different inhibitors. The drop-down box in the top right of the applet lets you see these various cases. The box defines as the current set of parameters (for the model) as the current experimental data set. Most of the experiments used here have been described in detail by Novak Frazer, L. & Moore, D. (1993) in Mycological Research 97, 1113-1118 [DOWNLOAD the PDF file of the published paper]. 

To see the actual model parameters, corresponding with the mathematical description of this model, press the button "model parameters". To restore all values to default press the button "Reset".

Verbal description

Mathematical description

Apex angle - based model