Membrane Channels Involved in Electrosensitivity

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SUMMARY

Researchers have identified specific channel proteins responsible for the electrosensitivity in skates, a type of ray. This ability allows skates to detect prey hidden in sand by sensing weak electrical signals produced by heartbeats. The study employs a comprehensive methodology that includes behavioral analysis, neurophysiology, molecular biology, and pharmacology to pinpoint the channels involved in this unique sensory mechanism.

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BillTre
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This little industry news article walks through how some researchers identified the channel proteins underlying a skate's (similar to a ray) electrosensitivity, which allows it to find prey buried in sand or otherwise obscured (heartbeats make weak electrical signals the animals can detect).
Their approach starts with behavior, and then goes through neurophysiology, molecular biology, and pharmacology to nail the down the channels involved in this unusual sense.
 
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