Towards understanding of birds magnetoreceptor mechanism

Details Towards understanding of birds magnetoreceptor mechanism Towards understanding of birds magnetoreceptor mechanism

2007-04-13

arxiv.org/abs/0704.1763v1

Physics

Biological Physics

10 pages, 4 figures

Scientific paper

In the present letter we suggest a new theoretical model for a quantitative description of the magnetoreception mechanism in birds. The considered mechanism involves two types of iron minerals (magnetite and maghemite) which were found in subcellular compartments within sensory dendrites of the upper beak of several bird species. The analysis of forces acting between the iron particles shows that the orientation of the external geomagnetic field can significantly change the probability of the mechanosensitive ion channels opening and closing. The performed theoretical analysis shows that the suggested magnetoreceptor system might be a sensitive biological magnetometer providing an essential part of the magnetic map for navigation.

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