Taste receptor trigger mechanism. Animation showing a trigger mechanism for taste receptors on the tongue involving sodium and hydrogen ions. These ions account for salty and sour tastes respectively. At left is a taste (gustatory) receptor cell. At right is a nerve ending (synapse), with a synaptic gap (cleft) between them. The triggering of a sodium channel (green, left) causes and ions to flow into the taste receptor cell and depolarise the membrane (plus symbols changing to minus). This triggers the opening of voltage-dependant calcium ion channels (blue, lower centre). The calcium ions (green) bind to synaptic vesicles (pink), causing them to release their neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. The neurotransmitters bind to the post-synaptic receptors (red) and cause ions to flow into the nerve. This results in a nerve signal being sent to the brain (flash and wave of changes in the voltage symbols), resulting in the sensation of taste. For this animation without labels, see K004/3663. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Biocosmos / Francis Leroy & Michael Pierard |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Länge: | 35 Sekunden |
Seitenverhältnis: | 16:9 |
Restrictions: | - |