Abstract
Cell membranes have the most important function among the sensory cells receiving the energy of sound and light. They consist mainly of phospholipids and proteins. Experimentally, I found that these membrane materials are dissociated by sound and light. Of the phospholipids (lecithin and cephalin), lecithin had a larger electric potential by the dissociation than cephalin. And the stronger the energy of light, the more easily these membrane materials were apt to be dissociated in comparison with sound. Moreover, it is imagined that compared with Na+ and K+ solution (Ringer solution-perfect electrolyte solution) which is strong against energy and does not show almost any voltage change.
1. phospholipids and protein solution which are comparatively weak against energy in spite of high molecular materials are dissociated by sound and light and produce potential (the first step of the excitation, that is, the action of sensor?).
2. The sudden rise of potential is found by adding Ringer solution. But according to our experiments, we believe that Na+ and K+ do not change the energy of sound and light into electric energy, although they amplify the polarization potential of the solution.
3. I suggest, taking into account the electron-microscopic structure of the hair cells, that the apical portion of these cells act as a “phototube” to light by showing the model with chemical materials.
