High resolution spatio-temporal analysis of aquatic chemical signals using microelectrochemical electrodes

Abstract

Detailed understanding of chemoreceptor cell transduction and filtering depends on precise control and thus measurement of the chemical stimulus. In contrast to vision and hearing, accurate stimulus measurement in chemoreception has not been possible at biologically relevant spatial and temporal scales. In this paper we introduce a new high-speed (200 hz) electrochemical method for the direct measurement of odor signals at biologically relevant space scales (10‐100 μm). We tested this system in three applications: (i) temporal and spatial features of odor plumes, (ii) stimulus calibrations in physiological recording chambers and (iii) boundary layer diffusion measurements within receptor structures.