Proceedings of the Conference on Nonlinear Coherent Structures in Physics and Biology,
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, July 95

The Transmission Of Acoustic Energy From Air to The Receptor And Transducer in The Cochlea

L Naftalin ¹, M. Mattey

¹Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology,
University of Strathclyde,
31 Taylor Street,
Glasgow G4 ONR

Abstract

The anatomy of the mammalian hearing apparatus is described, followed by details of the microanatomy of the cochlea. Indications are given of the actual size of the structures involved. The generally accepted theory of transmission and transduction is recounted; then observational and experimental data providing difficulties in accepting current teaching are explained. An alternative explanation is offered in brief outline, in which it is suggested that wave analysis occurs by constructive 3-dimensional interference patterns, resulting in "phonons" (which may be, e.g. Gabor units (fx(t or Dirac delta functions) and which enter "matching" biological macromolecules that react coherently.

Conference paper.

ABSTRACTS
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Last modified Mon Apr 8 16:24:59 GB-Eire 1996 (DBD)