title: Simulation and interpretation of experiments with otoliths.
abstract: The function of otolith as a gravisensor comprises a sequence of different physical and chemical processes, which experimental investigation is difficult or unfeasible. To understand the relationship between the input and output in otolith organ, certain assumptions concerning the mechanisms of transformation of information on the inner, intermediate stages have to be made. Their validity has to be tested by comparison of the properties of output characteristics, which follow from these assumptions, with experimental data. The goals of the present paper are: 1) to analyze some of the assumptions used in and related to the intermediate stages of transformation of mechanical stimulus in neural response; 2) to demonstrate by comparison with the results of modeling of otolith structure that some peculiarities of the experiment may be caused by spatial inhomogeneity of otolithic membrane (OM).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, Natl. Acad. Sci., Kiev, Ukraine.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kondrachuk
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000818:Animals; D006112:Gravitation; D018466:Gravity Sensing / Q000502:physiology*; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D010037:Otolithic Membrane / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology