Histology 3500 Blog 2: Paper Review
Histology 3500 Blog 2: Paper Review Paper Reviewed: Molecular basis of infrared detection by snakes Authors: Elena O. Gracheva, Nicholas T. Ingolia, Yvonne M. Kelly, Julio F. Cordero-Morales, Gunther Hollopeter,Alexander T. Chesler, Elda E. Sanchez, John C. Perez, Jonathan S. Weissman & David Julius Paper can viewed on Pubmed at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855400/ Introduction: This paper examines the 'thermal imaging' process that enables snakes to capture their prey in a quick and efficient manner. In particular, the paper examines the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake ( Crotalus atrox ), a crolatine snake with an unmatched thermal detection ability. This is accomplished through the use of loreal pit organs present between the eye and nostril on the head of the snake (shown in Figure 1a). Within the pit is a thin membrane that is heavily innervated with trigeminal nerve fibers (as shown in Figure 1b). These fibres transmit the