Due to their function of “probes” of external stimuli, sensory systems have to be able to respond appropriately to a wide range of amplitudes of the input signal. The process by means of which they adjust their sensitivity to a stimulus is called adaptation. In the first part of the thesis we focus on the study of the olfactory transduction pathway, explaining the adaptation exhibited by this system, and introducing a model able to reproduce the features of the biological response. We then consider data obtained from phototransduction experiments and compare their properties with those of the olfactory system, unveiling a possible general mechanism used by these two pathways to achieve adaptation. Finally a detailed study of one of the ion channels involved in the olfactory transduction pathway, the calcium-activated chloride channel, is presented. We suggest a Markov scheme explaining the modulation of the activity of the channel by the transmembrane voltage and the calcium concentration.

Dynamics and adaptation in the olfactory and phototransduction pathways

De Palo, Giovanna
2012-10-29

Abstract

Due to their function of “probes” of external stimuli, sensory systems have to be able to respond appropriately to a wide range of amplitudes of the input signal. The process by means of which they adjust their sensitivity to a stimulus is called adaptation. In the first part of the thesis we focus on the study of the olfactory transduction pathway, explaining the adaptation exhibited by this system, and introducing a model able to reproduce the features of the biological response. We then consider data obtained from phototransduction experiments and compare their properties with those of the olfactory system, unveiling a possible general mechanism used by these two pathways to achieve adaptation. Finally a detailed study of one of the ion channels involved in the olfactory transduction pathway, the calcium-activated chloride channel, is presented. We suggest a Markov scheme explaining the modulation of the activity of the channel by the transmembrane voltage and the calcium concentration.
29-ott-2012
Altafini, Claudio
Menini, Anna
De Palo, Giovanna
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11767/4784
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