On Hyaluronate Molecules in the Labyrinth as Mechano-Electrical Transducers, and As Molecular Motors Acting as Resonators

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Abstract
Part I contains a discussion of the significance of displacement potentials, as caused by the bending of hyaluronate molecules, for the understanding of the electrical phenomena in the vestibular apparatus. It appears that the conclusions drawn from their existence and from their theory agree in sign and in order of magnitude with effects demonstrated experimentally in the organ of the semicircular canals, notably by Trincker and by Lowenstein & Wersäll. But it seems that we are left with a choice of at least two possible mechanisms. In part II the considerations are extended to an attempt to understand the electrical phenomena which are characteristic for the cochlea. In particular, it is attempted to explain the supposedly peripheric analysis of sounds in respect of pitch. The principal point of view is that due to Helmholtz (1863), the analysis must be explained by means of some sort of resonator mechanism combined with the so-called place theory. In contrast to Helm-holtz's views, however, the resonators are believed to be molecular motors, having a characteristic frequency of rotation and not vibrators of the violin-string type. It is shown that, when certain conditions obtain, bent hyaluronate molecules act as electrical switches and as revolving motors with a characteristic frequency of rotation. It is also shown that the experiments by Galambos ' Davis and by Tasaki do not necessarily disprove the proposed mechanism. On the contrary, it may seem that the mechanism in question must lead to consequences like those observed by the said authors on single nerve fibres.