[Transforming and transmitting auditory information].

Abstract

A mechanism of transforming and transmitting auditory information has been introduced taking into consideration the course of occurrences on molecular level in auditory cell itself. Physical energy of the sound wave is changed into bioelectric energy of the inside of the auditory cell owing to the generated electrochemical gradient. The change of the cell membrane potential which has been caused by the energy of the sound wave influences the change of the calcium level in the cell and at a further stage energetistic processes, enzymatic proteins activity and also it regulates the exocytosis of the mediator. The relationship between the generation of the transmitter and its secretion, and the stimulation of the auditory cell has been discussed. The role of afferent and efferent innervation in the generation of the fast and slow contraction of auditory cells has been noticed. Other phenomena accompanying the process of hearing have also been noticed. They are: Coding information, pre- and post-synaptic inhibition, facilitation of impulse transmission along nervous pathways, collateral inhibition, convergence and divergence. The mechanism of stimulating the receptors in the other senses has been described. A hypothesis has been put forward about the possibility of existence of a mechanism activating ionic canals of the cell membrane of auditory cells other than purely mechanical one connected with tip-links. The mechanism mentioned above may be based on inducing conformational changes of canal proteins, especially potassium canals, by the energy of the sound wave. There is a probability that there exist sound sensitive molecules in the ear as just as there exist light sensitive molecules in the organ of sight. The ability of basement membrane to transmit auditory information, especially on the verge of auditory threshold has been questioned.