Collaborative loops in the head and body of <i>C. elegans.</i>

<p>(A) The functional units in the head and body are coupled by gap junctions between muscles, and gap junctions between motoneurons. (B) The disparity of muscle deformation between two units is influenced by gap junctions. (C) The frequencies of muscle deformation are concentrated on the target frequency. (D) The amplitudes of muscle deformation change in a small range. Error bars represent SEM (n = 5). (E) Proprioception, from muscles to motoneurons, works as positive feedback in the head and body. (F)Phase portraits by motoneurons membrane potentials and muscle deformation. <i>Nf</i>_<i>rs</i> represents negative feedback relative strength. <i>Pf</i> represents positive feedback strength. When the <i>Pf</i> changes, the <i>Nf</i>_<i>rs</i> is set as one. When the <i>Nf</i>_<i>rs</i> changes, the <i>Pf</i> is set as zero. (G) Frequency and amplitude when the <i>Nf</i>_<i>rs</i> or the <i>Pf</i> changes. Error bars are SEM (n = 5). Relative strength is calculated by <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>_<i>opt</i>. <i>w</i>_<i>opt</i> is the optimized parameter.</p>