Transduction

DEFINITION: Conversion of stimulus energy to electrical potentials

multistep process (steps in grey are optional):
STIMULUS → accessory structures
→ RECEPTOR: conformational change in transducer protein
→ 2nd messenger systems
→ ion channel activation/inactivation (conductance change)
→ receptor potential
→ neurotransmitter release
→ action potential

	AUDITORY SYSTEM EXAMPLE (hair cell currents and receptor potential)

Transduction currents recorded from a hair cell in response to stereocilia deflection.	Hair cell receptor potential in response to a sinusoidal stimulus.
The stages in the auditory transduction process are: SOUND → external/middle/inner ear (esp. organ of Corti in the cochlea) → HAIR CELL: mechanotransduction channel opens or closes → receptor potential in hair cell (depolarization/hyperpolarization) → neurotransmitter release → change in action potential frequency in auditory nerve fibre

2013 Sensory Physiology

Transduction