The primary function of cilia is the transportation of either a single cell through water or materials over the cellular tissue surface. For this task to be performed efficiently, cilia beat in approximately periodic, spatial and temporal pattern called the metachronal wave. Ciliary cells are excitable, in the sense that they dramatically change their activity in response to various stimuli. The characterization of ciliary activity, i.e. frequency, metachronal wavelength and its direction, under normal and stimulated conditions will be presented. In addition, the underlying molecular events leading to ciliary activation induced by extracellular ATP will be discussed.

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