No Desynchronization among Four Circadian Rhythms in the Unicellular Alga, Gonyaulax polyedra

Abstract

The phase relationships among several circadian rhythms in the unicellular alga Gonyaulax polyedra remained unchanged during several weeks under constant conditions. A 6-hour exposure to darkness shifted the phase of all rhythms similarly. The Q₁₀ for the frequency of three of these rhythms had been shown previously to be approximately the same and furthermore less than 1. These facts may mean that all these rhythms are the outputs of a single "master oscillator."