Mechanism of Infrared Detection and Transduction by Beetle Melanophila Acuminata In memory of Jerry Wolken  

作　　者：Meir Israelowitz Jeong-Ah Kwon Syed W. H. Rizvi Christoph Gille Herb P. von Schroeder 

机构地区：[1]Biomimetics Technologies Inc., 191 Ellis Avenue, Toronto Ontario M6S 2X4, Canada [2]Hillman Cancer Center, Research Pavilion, Floor 2 2.35, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA [3]Institute of Biochemistry, CharitO Universiaitsmedizin, Monbijourstr. 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany [4]University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, 2E, Tolvnto, ON M5T2SS, Canada

出　　处：《Journal of Bionic Engineering》2011年第2期129-139,共11页仿生工程学报（英文版）

摘　　要：The Melanophila acuminata beetle is attracted to forest fires via a pair of infrared sensory organs composed of sensilla. Our histological work showed that each sensillum contains lipid layers surrounding a protein layer and a unique polysaccharide base that is associated with a neuron to each sensillum. Infrared microscopy showed that the protein region maximally absorbs infrared radiation at 3 ~tm wavelength and at 10 ~tm, which corresponds to the known radiation produced by forest fires at 3 ~tm. Mathematical calculations showed that the physical properties of the sensilla are such that the expected temperature rise is insufficient for transduction of the infrared signal through mechanical means or as a thermal receptor as previously thought; hence the protein plays the pivotal role in perception of single photons and transmission of the signal within the sensilla.The Melanophila acuminata beetle is attracted to forest fires via a pair of infrared sensory organs composed of sensilla. Our histological work showed that each sensillum contains lipid layers surrounding a protein layer and a unique polysaccharide base that is associated with a neuron to each sensillum. Infrared microscopy showed that the protein region maximally absorbs infrared radiation at 3 ~tm wavelength and at 10 ~tm, which corresponds to the known radiation produced by forest fires at 3 ~tm. Mathematical calculations showed that the physical properties of the sensilla are such that the expected temperature rise is insufficient for transduction of the infrared signal through mechanical means or as a thermal receptor as previously thought; hence the protein plays the pivotal role in perception of single photons and transmission of the signal within the sensilla.

关 键 词：sensory organs SENSILLUM INSECT radiation fire 

分 类 号：S858.275.3[农业科学—临床兽医学] TN215[农业科学—兽医学]