The series of events required for an organism to receive an auditory stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Sonic stimuli are detected in the form of vibrations and are processed to form a sound.

The series of events required for an organism to receive an orientational stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Equilibrioception refers to a combination of processes by which an organism can perceive its orientation with respect to gravity. In animals, stimuli come from labyrinth system of the inner ears, monitoring the direction of motion; visual stimuli, with information on orientation and motion; pressure receptors, which tell the organism which body surfaces are in contact with the ground; and proprioceptive cues, which report which parts of the body are in motion.

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of a stereocilium. A stereocilium is an actin-based protrusion from the apical surface of inner ear receptor cells.

A vesicle-mediated transport process in which cells take up external materials or membrane constituents by the invagination of a small region of the plasma membrane to form a new membrane-bounded vesicle.

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of a prolongation or process extending from a cell, e.g. a flagellum or axon.

The process in which a relatively unspecialized cell acquires specialized features of a hair cell.

The change in form (cell shape and size) that occurs when a neuromast hair cell progresses from its initial formation to its mature state. A neuromast hair cell is a hair cell that acts as a sensory receptor of the neuromast; it is morphologically polarized as a result of the relative position of the single kinocilium and the clusters of stereocilia on its apical surface.

The series of events required for an organism to receive a sensory light stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. This is a neurological process.

The series of events in which a mechanical stimulus is received and converted into a molecular signal as part of sensory perception.

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of an auditory receptor cell over time, from its formation to the mature structure. Cell development does not include the steps involved in committing a cell to a specific fate.

A process in which a protein is transported to, or maintained in, a location within a cilium.

The directed movement of calcium (Ca) ions into, out of or within a cell, or between cells, by means of some agent such as a transporter or pore.

The directed movement of calcium (Ca) ions into, out of or within a cell, or between cells, by means of some agent such as a transporter or pore.

The attachment of a cell, either to another cell or to an underlying substrate such as the extracellular matrix, via cell adhesion molecules.

The series of events required for an organism to receive an auditory stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Sonic stimuli are detected in the form of vibrations and are processed to form a sound.

The series of events required for an organism to receive an auditory stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Sonic stimuli are detected in the form of vibrations and are processed to form a sound.

The specific movement from place to place of an organism in response to external or internal stimuli. Locomotion of a whole organism in a manner dependent upon some combination of that organism's internal state and external conditions.

The attachment of one cell to another cell via adhesion molecules that require the presence of calcium for the interaction.

The attachment of one cell to another cell via adhesion molecules that require the presence of calcium for the interaction.

The process in which the anatomical structures of the inner ear are generated and organized. The inner ear is the structure in vertebrates that contains the organs of balance and hearing. It consists of soft hollow sensory structures (the membranous labyrinth) containing fluid (endolymph) surrounded by fluid (perilymph) and encased in a bony cavity (the bony labyrinth). It consists of two chambers, the sacculus and utriculus, from which arise the cochlea and semicircular canals respectively.

The process in which a relatively unspecialized inner cell acquires specialized features of an auditory hair cell.

Any process preventing the degeneration of the photoreceptor, a specialized cell type that is sensitive to light.

Any process preventing the degeneration of the photoreceptor, a specialized cell type that is sensitive to light.

Morphogenesis, during the post-embryonic phase, of an animal tissue or tissues that work together to perform a specific function or functions. Morphogenesis pertains to process in which anatomical structures are generated and organized. Organs are commonly observed as visibly distinct structures, but may also exist as loosely associated clusters of cells that work together to perform a specific function or functions.

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the inner ear over time, from its formation to the mature structure.

The series of events required for an organism to receive a sensory light stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. This is a neurological process.

The series of events required for an organism to receive an orientational stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Equilibrioception refers to a combination of processes by which an organism can perceive its orientation with respect to gravity. In animals, stimuli come from labyrinth system of the inner ears, monitoring the direction of motion; visual stimuli, with information on orientation and motion; pressure receptors, which tell the organism which body surfaces are in contact with the ground; and proprioceptive cues, which report which parts of the body are in motion.

Any process involved in the maintenance of an internal steady state of calcium ions within the cytosol of a cell or between the cytosol and its surroundings.

Any process involved in the maintenance of an internal steady state of calcium ions within the cytosol of a cell or between the cytosol and its surroundings.

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of a stereocilium. A stereocilium is an actin-based protrusion from the apical surface of auditory hair cells.

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of a stereocilium. A stereocilium is an actin-based protrusion from the apical surface of auditory hair cells.

A specialized eukaryotic organelle that consists of a filiform extrusion of the cell surface and of some cytoplasmic parts. Each cilium is largely bounded by an extrusion of the cytoplasmic (plasma) membrane, and contains a regular longitudinal array of microtubules, anchored to a basal body.

The component of a membrane consisting of the gene products and protein complexes having at least some part of their peptide sequence embedded in the hydrophobic region of the membrane.

The inner segment of a vertebrate photoreceptor containing mitochondria, ribosomes and membranes where opsin molecules are assembled and passed to be part of the outer segment discs.

A structure comprised of a core structure (in most organisms, a pair of centrioles) and peripheral material from which a microtubule-based structure, such as a spindle apparatus, is organized. Centrosomes occur close to the nucleus during interphase in many eukaryotic cells, though in animal cells it changes continually during the cell-division cycle.

A lipid bilayer along with all the proteins and protein complexes embedded in it an attached to it.

An actin-based protrusion from the apical surface of auditory and vestibular hair cells and of neuromast cells. These protrusions are supported by a bundle of cross-linked actin filaments (an actin cable), oriented such that the plus (barbed) ends are at the tip of the protrusion, capped by a tip complex which bridges to the plasma. Bundles of stereocilia act as mechanosensory organelles.

An actin-based protrusion from the apical surface of auditory and vestibular hair cells and of neuromast cells. These protrusions are supported by a bundle of cross-linked actin filaments (an actin cable), oriented such that the plus (barbed) ends are at the tip of the protrusion, capped by a tip complex which bridges to the plasma. Bundles of stereocilia act as mechanosensory organelles.

A distinct compartment at the tip of a stereocilium, distal to the site of attachment to the apical cell surface. It consists of a dense matrix bridging the barbed ends of the stereocilium actin filaments with the overlying plasma membrane, is dynamic compared to the shaft, and is required for stereocilium elongation.

The region of a polarized cell that forms a tip or is distal to a base. For example, in a polarized epithelial cell, the apical region has an exposed surface and lies opposite to the basal lamina that separates the epithelium from other tissue.

The region of a polarized cell that forms a tip or is distal to a base. For example, in a polarized epithelial cell, the apical region has an exposed surface and lies opposite to the basal lamina that separates the epithelium from other tissue.

The junction between a nerve fiber of one neuron and another neuron, muscle fiber or glial cell. As the nerve fiber approaches the synapse it enlarges into a specialized structure, the presynaptic nerve ending, which contains mitochondria and synaptic vesicles. At the tip of the nerve ending is the presynaptic membrane; facing it, and separated from it by a minute cleft (the synaptic cleft) is a specialized area of membrane on the receiving cell, known as the postsynaptic membrane. In response to the arrival of nerve impulses, the presynaptic nerve ending secretes molecules of neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These diffuse across the cleft and transmit the signal to the postsynaptic membrane.

A nonmotile primary cilium that is found at the apical surface of auditory receptor cells. The kinocilium is surrounded by actin-based stereocilia.

A ribbon synpase of an auditory hair cell of the cochlear. These ribbon synapses contain spherical synaptic ribbons and lack and arciform density.

A ribbon synapse between a retinal photoreceptor cell (rod or cone) and a retinal bipolar cell. These contain a plate-like synaptic ribbon.