Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

What is an Electrochemical Gradient?01:26

What is an Electrochemical Gradient?

129.5K
Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is considered the primary energy source in cells. However, energy can also be stored in the electrochemical gradient of an ion across the plasma membrane, which is determined by two factors: its chemical and electrical gradients.
The chemical gradient relies on differences in the abundance of a substance on the outside versus the inside of a cell and flows from areas of high to low ion concentration. In contrast, the electrical gradient revolves around an...
129.5K
Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

44.0K
The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
44.0K
Hair Cells01:22

Hair Cells

45.8K
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.
45.8K
Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

Sensory Functions of the Skin

8.9K
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
8.9K
Equilibrium and Balance01:15

Equilibrium and Balance

7.0K
The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...
7.0K
The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

51.8K
The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
51.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cross-coupled synchronization control strategy for rebar binding robots based on impedance control.

ISA transactions·2026
Same author

O-arm navigation-guided uni-portal non-coaxial spinal endoscopic surgery for the precise treatment of far-out syndrome-a case report and literature review.

Frontiers in surgery·2026
Same author

Robotic versus Open Pancreatoduodenectomy (PORTAL): multicentre, single masked, phase 3, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial.

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2026
Same author

Dietary Supplement with Milk that Contains Different β-Caseins Influences Gut Microbiota and Serum Metabolites in Mice.

Food science of animal resources·2026
Same author

CDK9 degrader induces BRCAness and sensitizes castration-resistant prostate cancer to PARP inhibitor.

Theranostics·2026
Same author

Reverse Tesla valve modulated efficient water evaporation and cooling.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Daily briefing: 'Cyborg' cockroaches breathe underwater with printed suit.

Nature·2026
Same journal

China boosts prestigious grants for young scientists - will it ease competition?

Nature·2026
Same journal

Incoming US science academy chief vows to 'double down' on research.

Nature·2026
Same journal

Author Correction: Synthesis of enantioenriched atropisomers by biocatalytic deracemization.

Nature·2026
Same journal

Electrodeposited self-assembled molecules for perovskite photovoltaics.

Nature·2026
Same journal

Neutrino's nursery found: the 'Shadow Blaster'.

Nature·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Using a Microfluidics Device for Mechanical Stimulation and High Resolution Imaging of C. elegans
10:39

Using a Microfluidics Device for Mechanical Stimulation and High Resolution Imaging of C. elegans

Published on: February 19, 2018

11.1K

Echinoderm stereom gradient structures enable mechanoelectrical perception.

Annan Chen1, Ziqin Wang2,3, Zhizi Guan4

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Nature
|February 25, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sea urchin spines possess remarkable mechanoelectrical perception, exceeding vision capabilities. This discovery inspires novel gradient cellular materials for advanced underwater sensing applications.

More Related Videos

Stereocilia Bundle Imaging with Nanoscale Resolution in Live Mammalian Auditory Hair Cells
06:47

Stereocilia Bundle Imaging with Nanoscale Resolution in Live Mammalian Auditory Hair Cells

Published on: January 21, 2021

3.6K
Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

8.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Using a Microfluidics Device for Mechanical Stimulation and High Resolution Imaging of C. elegans
10:39

Using a Microfluidics Device for Mechanical Stimulation and High Resolution Imaging of C. elegans

Published on: February 19, 2018

11.1K
Stereocilia Bundle Imaging with Nanoscale Resolution in Live Mammalian Auditory Hair Cells
06:47

Stereocilia Bundle Imaging with Nanoscale Resolution in Live Mammalian Auditory Hair Cells

Published on: January 21, 2021

3.6K
Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events
08:30

Single Cell Durotaxis Assay for Assessing Mechanical Control of Cellular Movement and Related Signaling Events

Published on: August 27, 2019

8.5K

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Mechanobiology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Cellular solids are vital in nature, often optimized for mechanical strength.
  • Alternative functions, like mechanoelectrical perception, are less explored.
  • Echinoderm stereom, like sea urchin spines, presents unique cellular structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanoelectrical properties of echinoderm stereom.
  • To understand the role of gradient cellular structures in perception.
  • To develop biomimetic gradient cellular materials for sensing.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of echinoderm stereom's cellular structure and mechanoelectrical response.
  • Fabrication of artificial gradient cellular structures using 3D printing.
  • Comparative testing of gradient and gradient-free artificial structures.

Main Results:

  • Echinoderm stereom exhibits significant mechanoelectrical perception, with response potential and time superior to vision.
  • Gradient cellular solids along the spine axis generate differential charge density during liquid flow.
  • 3D-printed artificial structures with gradient designs showed enhanced voltage output and amplitude differential.

Conclusions:

  • Gradient cellular solids in echinoderms enable unique mechanoelectrical sensing capabilities.
  • Biomimetic gradient materials can be engineered for superior performance.
  • Findings pave the way for functional gradient cellular materials in underwater sensing and resource utilization.