Two adaptation processes in auditory hair cells together can provide an active amplifier

From: Biophysical Journal | Date: July 1, 2003| Author: | Copyright information

ABSTRACT The hair cells of the vertebrate inner ear convert mechanical stimuli to electrical signals. Two adaptation mechanisms are known to modify the ionic current flowing through the transduction channels of the hair bundles: a rapid process involves Ca^sup 2+^ ions binding to the channels; and a slower adaptation is associated with the movement of myosin motors. We present a mathematical model of the hair cell which demonstrates that the combination of these two mechanisms can produce "self-tuned critical oscillations", i.e., maintain the hair bundle at the threshold of an oscillatory ...

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