Linear Acceleration Coding by Maculae

Linear Acceleration Coding by Maculae

Maculae

The maculae are specialized for sensing linear acceleration, such as when gravity acts on the tilting head, or if the head starts moving in a straight line. The difference in inertia between the hair cell stereocilia and the otolithic membrane in which they are embedded leads to a shearing force that causes the stereocilia to bend in the direction of that linear acceleration.

Cut Rita Zahara

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