Waves of bending will arise spontaneously on a flagellum if changes in the length of its contractile elements cause changes in tension, after a delay. The properties of the contractile elements must be non-linear if the amplitude of these waves is to remain finite. This non-linearity has two consequences: (i) control of the frequency and direction of propagation of the waves can be exercised from the proximal end of the flagellum; (ii) two nearby flagella will synchronize, beating with a common frequency and wavelength. Synchronization has been observed among spermatozoa. A study of this phenomenon may give information about the properties of the contractile machinery.
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K. E. Machin (1963) studied this question.
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