Possible mechanism of biomagnetic sense organ extracted from sockeye salmon

A new candidate for a biomagnetic sense organ has been discovered in the foreheads of sockeye salmon. This candidate is an elliptical cell encircled by many magnetic particles. The procedures for extracting the cells are described, and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) pictures are shown. The minor and major axes of the cells are about 0.65-0.75 mu m and 1.3-1.8 mu m, respectively, and the diameters of the magnetic particle range from 50 to 100 nm. The cell also includes a number of round organelles. A possible mechanism for how this organ senses magnetic field, that is, a relationship between the motion of magnetic particles and the applied field, is discussed using a simplified model.<
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