Biophysics of Electroreception Workshop on Transduction of Nanovolt Signals: Limits of Electric-Field Detection Held in La Jolla, California on 19- 21 November 1989

Abstract

Life scientists of diverse backgrounds gathered in La Jolla, California, for three days in November 1989 to discuss the extreme electrical sensitivity of marine sharks, skates, and rays. After reviewing the results of earlier studies on the electric sense at the animal and system levels, the participants discussed the basic process of signal transduction in terms of voltage-sensitive ionic channels. Struck by the small charge displacements needed for excitation, they strongly recommended that sensory biologists, physiologists, and biophysicists join in a concerted effort to initiate new research on the ionic mechanisms of electric-field detection. To obtain detailed information on the electroreceptive membrane and its ionic channels, high-resolution recording techniques will be mandatory.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 21, 1989
Accession Number
ADA219214

Entities

People

  • J. Kalmijn

Organizations

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Animal Structures
  • Animals
  • Bandwidth
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Charge Carriers
  • Detection
  • Electric Fields
  • Electrical Properties
  • Fish
  • High Resolution
  • Human Body
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Membranes
  • Military Research

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Oceanography.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology