Sensors, motors, and tuning in the cochlea: interacting cells could form a surface acoustic wave resonator

摘要: The outer hair cells of the cochlea occur in three distinct and geometrically precise rows and, unusually, display both sensing motor properties. As well as sound, (OHCs) undergo cycle-by-cycle length changes response to stimulation. OHCs are central way which processes amplifies sounds, but how they do so is presently unknown. In explanation, this paper proposes that act like a single-port surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator interdigital electrodes—the distinctive rows—exhibit required electromechanical mechanoelectrical Thus, frequency analysis might through sympathetic resonance bank interacting whose microscopic separation largely determines frequency. way, could be tuned from 20 Hz at apex, where spacing largest, kHz base, it smallest. A suitable candidate for mediate such short-wavelength interaction—a 'squirting wave' known ultrasonics—has recently been described. Such SAW thereby underlie 'cochlear amplifier'—the device action evident auditory science identity has not yet established.