STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF INNER EAR SENSORS

本申请中描述的研究的长期目标是 阐明内耳传感器的结构-功能关系。这些 预计关系将具有丰富的含义，涉及 信号处理中使用的物理机制。一次彻底的 对传感器结构和功能之间关系的理解是 有必要这样内耳病理的潜在机制可能 了解并采取合理的措施来缓解这些问题。内层 耳朵传感器处理各种传入的感觉信号，包括 机载听觉、衬底地震和内部产生 与头部在太空中的位置和运动有关的信号。这个 拟议的研究重点是其中两个的结构和功能 感应器；听觉感应器和球囊。所使用的动物模型 我们的研究对象是红耳龟(Pseudemys Cripta Elegans)。这个 海龟听觉传感器在结构和功能上的相似性 包括哺乳动物在内的其他脊椎动物的研究也导致了 对理解听觉感觉细胞的重大贡献 生物物理学和信号处理。这项提案中描述的研究 将利用已证实的海龟内耳和 将其应用于地震敏感性的研究。两个主要问题 将被解决；1)外围设备的各种组件是如何 海龟中的听觉传感器被组织起来以提供信号频率 特征和来源位置？以及2)具体的作用是什么 这个模型系统中的球囊？传感器形态将用来研究 光学显微镜和扫描和透射电子显微镜。 单个初级传入神经纤维的功能参数将是 使用先进的微电极进行电生理学识别 第八脑神经。这种方法使调查者能够研究 在离开传感器的神经纤维活动中编码的信息：AS 它通常由中枢神经系统接收。校长 调查员接受了每种实验方法的培训，以 完成拟议研究的目标。

The long-term objective of the research described in this application is to elucidate structure-function relationships in inner ear sensors. These relationships are expected to be rich in implications regarding the physical mechanisms employed in signal processing. A thorough understanding of the relationship between sensor structure and function is necessary so that the underlying mechanisms of inner ear pathologies might be understood and rational measures undertaken to alleviate them. Inner ear sensors process a variety of incoming sensory signals including airborne auditory, substrate-borne seismic and internally generated signals concerning the position and movement of the head in space. The proposed study focuses on the structure and function of two of these sensors; the auditory sensor and the saccule. The animal model used in our studies is the red-eared turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans). The structural and functional similarity between the turtle auditory sensor and that of other vertebrates including mammals has resulted in substantial contributions to the understanding of auditory sensory cell biophysics and signal processing. The research described in this proposal will take advantage of the proven utility of the turtle inner ear and extend its use to studies of seismic sensitivity. Two major questions will be addressed; 1) How are the various components of the peripheral auditory sensor in the turtle organized to provide signal frequency characteristics and source location?, and 2) What is the specific role of the saccule in this model system? Sensor morphology will be studied with light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Functional parameters of individual primary afferent nerve fibers will be identified electrophysiologically using microelectrodes advanced into the eighth cranial nerve. This approach allows the investigator to study information encoded in the activity of nerve fibers leaving the sensor: as it is normally received by the central nervous system. The principal investigator is trained in each of the experimental methods required to complete the goals of the proposed research.