Primary Assay — C. elegans
Touch Response (Mechanosensation)
Caenorhabditis elegans
Gentle touch to the anterior body triggers backward locomotion; posterior touch triggers forward movement. Response decrement with repeated stimulation measures habituation. Six identified touch receptor neurons.

Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Caenorhabditis elegans.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Response probability | % | Fraction of touches eliciting reversal |
| Response type | categorical | Full reversal, partial, or no response |
| Reversal distance | body lengths | Backward movement after touch |
| Habituation rate | slope | Response decrement across 10 touches |
| Habituation recovery | % | Response restoration after rest |
References
Citations for Touch Response (Mechanosensation)
- Chalfie M, Bhatt DK. (1985). Genetic control of differentiation of the Caenorhabditis elegans touch receptor neurons. Science, 228(4700), 577-580. PMID: 3983045
- Rankin CH, Beck CD, Bhatt DK. (1990). Caenorhabditis elegans: a new model system for the study of learning and memory. Behav Brain Res, 37(1), 89-92. PMID: 2310495
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for C. elegans Research
Worm Tracking Camera System
Automated locomotion and behavior
Chemotaxis Assay Plates
Olfactory and gustatory assays
Thermal Gradient Plate
Thermotaxis
Thrashing Assay Chamber
Neuromuscular function in liquid
Touch Stimulation Probe
Mechanosensation
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Thrashing Assay
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