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Science 22 October 1971:
Vol. 174. no. 4007, pp. 416 - 419
DOI: 10.1126/science.174.4007.416
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Articles

Morphological Basis for a Mechanical Linkage in Otolithic Receptor Transduction in the Frog

D. E. Hillman 1 and E. R. Lewis 2

1 Division of Neurobiology, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52240
2 Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley 94720

Observations made with a scanning electron microscope confirm the binding of the stereocilia to a matchhead-like bulbous terminal at the apex of the kinocilium in frog saccular receptor cells. Since the kinocilium is shown to rest on a portion of the receptor cell that lacks the rigid cuticular base of the stereocilia, movenment of the ciliary ensemble results in a "plunging-like" effect of the kinocilium which produces a distension of the membranc at its base. This membrane distension is envisaged as bringing about the ionic conductance changes necessary for the production of a generator potential and, thus, for the transduction of movement into vestibular nerve activity.


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)