Abstract
Hair cells of the inner ear in many lower vertebrates behave like electrical resonators so that the transducer current develops a receptor potential that is maximal for a narrow range of frequencies around resonance (Crawford and Fettiplace, 1981). The resonance is thought to arise from potassium channels in the baso-lateral membrane of the cell (Crawford and Fettiplace, 1981; Lewis and Hudspeth, 1983), and it is abolished by tetraethylammonium ions (TEA). Since different hair cells have different resonant frequencies to cover the auditory range, this implies that some membrane property changes from cell to cell. We have investigated the source of the variability by recording the principal ionic currents in isolated cochlear hair cells of the turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans). The preparation is particularly suitable on two counts: the ear shows a wide range of resonant frequencies (30 Hz to 700 Hz), and the hair cells are tonotopically organized along the basilar membrane, so that cells of different frequency can be selected for investigation (Crawford and Fettiplace, 1980).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Art, J.J., Crawford, A.C., Fettiplace, R. and Fuchs, P.A. (1985). Efferent modulation of hair cell tuning in the cochlea of the turtle J. Physiol 360, 397–421.
Art, J.J., Crawford, A.C., Fettiplace, R. and Fuchs, P.A. (1985). Efferent modulation of hair cell tuning in the cochlea of the turtle J. Physiol 360, 397–421.
Ashmore, J.F. and Attwell, D. (1985). Models for electrical tuning in hair cells, Proc. Roy. Soc. B, 226, 325–344.
Crawford, A.C. and Fettiplace, R. (1980). The frequency selectivity of auditory nerve fibres and hair cells in the cochlea of the turtle, J. Physiol., 306, 79–125.
Crawford, A.C. and Fettiplace, R. (1981). An electrical tuning mechanism in turtle cochlear hair cells, J. Physiol., 312, 377–412.
Crawford, A.C. and Fettiplace, R. (1985). The mechanical properties of ciliary bundles of turtle cochlear hair cells, J. Physiol., 364, 359–379
Hamill, O.P., Marty, A., Neher, E., Sakmann, B. and Sigworth, F.J. (1981). Improved patch-clamp techniques for high-resolution current recording from cells and cell-free membrane patches, Pflugers Arch., 391, 85–100.
Holton, T. and Hudspeth, A.J. (1986). The transduction channel of hair cells from the bull-frog characterized by noise analysis, J. Physiol., 375, 195–227.
Lewis, R.S. and Hudspeth, A.J. (1983). Voltage- and ion-dependent conductances in solitary vertebrate hair cells, Nature, 304, 538–541.
Ohmori, H. (1985). Mechano-electrical transduction currents in isolated vestibular hair cells of the chick, J. Physiol., 359, 189–217.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Art, J.J., Crawford, A.C., Fettiplace, R. (1986). Membrane Currents in Isolated Turtle Hair Cells. In: Moore, B.C.J., Patterson, R.D. (eds) Auditory Frequency Selectivity. Nato ASI Series, vol 119. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2247-4_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2247-4_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9316-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2247-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive