In a surprising discovery, human sperm has put one of the most important laws of physics to the test. These little swimmers They defy the rules and Newton’s third law of motion.
For centuries the law remained abstract: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. But in a recent study, researchers identified a unique phenomenon in the field of biology.
Solving Newton’s Third Law
Newton’s third law is the foundation of physics. It determines that when one object applies a force to a second, the second will respond with the same force. But it seems that sperm and some algae have decided to dance to a different rhythm.
A recent study of Chlamydomonas algae and human sperm revealed something remarkable: Non-reciprocal mechanical interactions. These strange interactions have been called “peculiar plasticity” by researchers.
What makes them particularly fascinating is that they appear to defy Newton’s third law. Unlike inanimate objects, these biological swimmers do not receive an equal and opposite response from the environment.
Scourges: the key to the mystery
Chlamydomonas algae and sperm have hair-like extensions called flagella. Flagella are structures that extend from the cell body, serve as a tail, and enable the cell to move depending on its interaction with the liquid.
What is surprising is how the non-reciprocal cooperative relationship is presented. They wave their flagella without receiving any significant response from the environment. effectively defies the laws of physics.
The flexibility of the flagellum does not fully explain how these cells move. This is where “weird flexibility” comes into play. This challenges traditional restrictions on movement by allowing cells to move their flagella into the environment with minimal energy consumption.
Unique flexibility: the key to unconventional propulsion
The study explains an interesting concept called single resilience score or single resilience module. The higher this score, the greater the scourge’s ability to move without expending excessive energy. In simpler terms, cells can slide forward, violating the laws of physics..
Sperm and algae are not the only carriers of flagella in the biological world. Many microorganisms have these hair-like extensions, and their movements may also defy conventional physics.
According to the research team, the potential to understand and classify cells or organisms that exhibit non-reciprocal movements could have profound implications.
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Source: Tec Mundo

I’m Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I’ve written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.