Metabolism models

To assess the state of metabolism , the pharyngeal pumping speed and the average cycle length of defecation can be evaluated. For testing the pumping rate, the nematodes are placed on NGM agar plates with food. After a few minutes, the pumping movement of the pharynx is counted for a minute under a microscope. To test the average cycle length of defecation, every nematode is observed individually for a fixed number of cycles. A cycle is defined as the interval between initiation of two successive steps of muscle contraction.