Auditory System: Hair Cells
•
Force
towards
kinocilium opens
channels & K
+
, Ca
2+
enter,
depolarizing cell by 10s of mV.
Force
away
shuts channels.
•
Tip links (em): believed to
connect transduction channels
(cation channels on hairs)
•
Cell depolarized / hyperpolarized
–
frequency: basilar membrane
–
timing: locked to local vibration
–
amplitude: loudness
•
Neurotransmitter (Glu?) release
•
Very fast (responding from 10 Hz
– 100 kHz i.e.10
m
sec accuracy).