Sound-induced motility of isolated cochlear outer hair cells is frequency-specific
Article Abstract:
Within the inner ear is a winding, cone-shaped tube called the cochlea, that contains the receptor for hearing, the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti is a long, spiral structure located along the entire length of the cochlea and resting on a specialized membrane called the basilar membrane. It contains various cells such as hair cells, supporting cells, and neuroepithelial cells that are stimulated by sound waves. The inner ear is capable of distinguishing sounds of different frequencies. For example, a high frequency sound may be similar to a bird chirping, whereas a low frequency sound may be the croaking of a frog. Different sound frequencies cause changes in the wave motion of the basilar membrane and possibly other elements, such as the changes in length of outer hair cells within the organ of Corti. The role of outer hair cells in discrimination of sound frequencies was investigated further by examining the effect of different frequencies ranging from 200 to 10,000 hertz on the movement or motility of outer hair cells. The results show that outer hair cells isolated from the basilar membrane in the inner ear show changes in movement in response to changes in frequency. This study suggests that the discrimination of sound frequencies in the organ of Corti is improved by the sharply tuned movement of the outer hair cells. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1989
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Absence of evidence for greenhouse warming over the Arctic Ocean in the past 40 years
Article Abstract:
Surface temperatures over the Arctic Ocean recorded between 1950 and 1990 failed to confirm the atmospheric greenhouse model that predicted a general warming trend for the Arctic. In fact, the Arctic during this time became cooler rather than warmer. Biases that may exist in these temperature records are insufficient to overturn this result. Revised greenhouse models should be based on better knowledge of polar climatic phenomena.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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Pairing of isolated nucleic-acid bases in the absence of the DNA backbone
Article Abstract:
Gas-phase complexes were generated consisting of paired bases in isolated guanine-cytosine and guanine-guanine base pairs.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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