Primary processes in sensory cells: current advances

In the course of evolution, the strong and unremitting selective pressure on sensory performance has driven the acuity of sensory organs to its physical limits. As a consequence, the study of primary sensory processes illustrates impressively how far a physiological function can be improved, if the...

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1. Verfasser: Frings, Stephan (VerfasserIn)
Dokumenttyp: Kapitel/Artikel
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: [2012]
In: Sensing in Nature
Year: 2012, Pages: 32-58
DOI:10.1007/978-1-4614-1704-0_3
Online-Zugang:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1704-0_3
Verlag, Volltext: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4614-1704-0_3
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Verfasserangaben:Stephan Frings
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Zusammenfassung:In the course of evolution, the strong and unremitting selective pressure on sensory performance has driven the acuity of sensory organs to its physical limits. As a consequence, the study of primary sensory processes illustrates impressively how far a physiological function can be improved, if the survival of a species depends on it. Sensory cells that detect single-photons, single molecules, mechanical motions on a nanometer scale, or incredibly small fluctuations of electromagnetic fields have fascinated physiologists for a long time. It is a great challenge to understand the primary sensory processes on a molecular level. This chapter points out some important recent developments in the search for primary processes in sensory cells that mediate touch perception, hearing, vision, taste, olfaction, as well as the analysis of light polarization and the orientation in the Earth’s magnetic field. The data are screened for common transduction strategies and common transduction molecules, an aspect that may be helpful for researchers in the field.
Beschreibung:Gesehen am 08.05.2017
Beschreibung:Online Resource
ISBN:9781461417040
DOI:10.1007/978-1-4614-1704-0_3