Publication Date:
2011-08-24
Description:
This paper reviews previous findings and introduces new material about otolith end organs that help us to understand their functioning and development. In particular, we consider the end organs as biological accelerometers. The otoconia are dealt with as test masses whose substructure and evolutionary trend toward calcite may prove significant in understanding formation requirements. Space-flight helps illuminate the influence of gravity, while right-left asymmetry is suggested by study of certain rat strains.
Keywords:
Life Sciences (General)
Type:
Scanning electron microscopy (ISSN 0586-5581); Pt 4; 1695-704
Format:
text