Response in the Living and Non-Living

by Jagadis Chandra Bose

Fig. 66.—Diphasic Variation

(a) Records of A and B obtained separately. R′ is the resultant by algebraical summation. (b) Diphasic record obtained by simultaneous stimulation of A and B.

After taking the records of A and B separately, a record of resultant effect R due to simultaneous vibration of A and B was next taken. It gave the curious two-phased response—positive effect followed by negative after-vibration, practically similar to the resultant curve R′ ([fig. 66], b).

The positive portion of the curve is due to A effect and the negative to B. If by any means, say by either increasing the amplitude of vibration of A or increasing its sensitiveness, the response of A is very greatly enhanced, then the positive effect would be predominant and the negative effect would become inconspicuous. When the two constituent responses are of the same order of magnitude, we shall have a positive response followed by a negative after-vibration; the first twitch will belong to the one which responds earlier. If the response of A is very much reduced, then the positive effect will be reduced to a mere twitch and the negative effect will become predominant.

I give a series of records, [fig. 67], in which these three principal types are well exhibited, the two contacts having been rendered unequally excitable by solutions of the two reagents KBr and Na₂CO₃. A and B were vibrated simultaneously and records taken. (a) First, the relative response of B (downward) is increased by increasing its amplitude of vibration. The amplitude of vibration of A was throughout maintained constant. The negative or downward response is now very conspicuous, there being only a mere preliminary indication of the positive effect. (b) The amplitude of vibration of B is now slightly reduced, and we obtain the diphasic effect. (c) The intensity of vibration of B is diminished still further, and the negative effect is seen reduced to a slight downward after-vibration, the positive up-curve being now very prominent ([fig. 67]).

Fig. 67.—Negative, Diphasic, and Positive Resultant Response

Continuous transformation from negative to positive.—I have shown the three phases of transformation, the intensity of one of the constituent responses being varied by altering the intensity of disturbance.

In the following record ([fig. 68]) I succeeded in obtaining a continuous transformation from positive to negative phase by a continuous change in the relative sensitiveness of the two contacts.