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.

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

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

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

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

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of a lysosome. A lysosome is a cytoplasmic, membrane-bounded organelle that is found in most animal cells and that contains a variety of hydrolases.

The series of events required for an organism to receive a visual stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Visual stimuli are detected in the form of photons and are processed to form an image.

The series of events required for an organism to receive a visual stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Visual stimuli are detected in the form of photons and are processed to form an image.

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.

Movement of organelles or other particles along actin filaments, or sliding of actin filaments past each other, mediated by motor proteins.

Any process in which a protein is transported to, and/or maintained in, a specific location at the level of a cell. Localization at the cellular level encompasses movement within the cell, from within the cell to the cell surface, or from one location to another at the surface of a cell.

The process in which a relatively unspecialized cell acquires specialized features of a mechanoreceptor, a cell specialized to transduce mechanical stimuli and relay that information centrally in the nervous system.

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 process that results in the fusion of a phagosome, a vesicle formed by phagocytosis, with a lysosome.

The directed movement of proteins in a cell, including the movement of proteins between specific compartments or structures within a cell, such as organelles of a eukaryotic cell.

A vesicle-mediated transport process that results in the engulfment of external particulate material by phagocytes and their delivery to the lysosome. The particles are initially contained within phagocytic vacuoles (phagosomes), which then fuse with primary lysosomes to effect digestion of the particles.

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of a lysosome. A lysosome is a cytoplasmic, membrane-bounded organelle that is found in most animal cells and that contains a variety of hydrolases.

A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of a lysosome. A lysosome is a cytoplasmic, membrane-bounded organelle that is found in most animal cells and that contains a variety of hydrolases.

The series of events required for an organism to receive a sensory 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 a visual stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Visual stimuli are detected in the form of photons and are processed to form an image.

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.

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.

Movement of organelles or other particles along actin filaments, or sliding of actin filaments past each other, mediated by motor proteins.

Any process in which a protein is transported to, and/or maintained in, a specific location at the level of a cell. Localization at the cellular level encompasses movement within the cell, from within the cell to the cell surface, or from one location to another at the surface of a cell.

Development of a photoreceptor, a sensory cell in the eye that reacts to the presence of light. They usually contain a pigment that undergoes a chemical change when light is absorbed, thus stimulating a nerve.

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 cell acquires specialized features of a mechanoreceptor, a cell specialized to transduce mechanical stimuli and relay that information centrally in the nervous system.

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

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.

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 in which a pigment granule is transported to, and/or maintained in, a specific location within the cell.

The directed movement of pigment granules into, out of or within a cell, or between cells, by means of some agent such as a transporter or pore.

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.

The process in which relatively unspecialized cells, acquire specialized structural and/or functional features of inner ear receptor cells. Inner ear receptor cells are mechanorecptors found in the inner ear responsible for transducing signals involved in balance and sensory perception of sound.

The aggregation, arrangement and bonding together of adjacent microvilli through the formation of Ca(2+)-dependent adhesion links between them, forming a brush border.

The aggregation, arrangement and bonding together of adjacent microvilli through the formation of Ca(2+)-dependent adhesion links between them, forming a brush border.

The aggregation, arrangement and bonding together of adjacent microvilli through the formation of Ca(2+)-dependent adhesion links between them, forming a brush border.

All of the contents of a cell excluding the plasma membrane and nucleus, but including other subcellular structures.

Thin cylindrical membrane-covered projections on the surface of an animal cell containing a core bundle of actin filaments. Present in especially large numbers on the absorptive surface of intestinal cells.

The outer segment of a vertebrate photoreceptor that contains a stack of membrane discs embedded with photoreceptor proteins.

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.

The lipid bilayer surrounding the lysosome and separating its contents from the cell cytoplasm.

The part of the cytoplasm that does not contain organelles but which does contain other particulate matter, such as protein complexes.

The part of the cytoplasm that does not contain organelles but which does contain other particulate matter, such as protein complexes.

Thin cylindrical membrane-covered projections on the surface of an animal cell containing a core bundle of actin filaments. Present in especially large numbers on the absorptive surface of intestinal cells.

The dense covering of microvilli on the apical surface of a epithelial cells in tissues such as the intestine, kidney, and choroid plexus; the microvilli aid absorption by increasing the surface area of the cell.

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.

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.

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.

The tapered base of the stereocilium adjacent to where it joins the hair cell body. This region contains a rootlet comprised of bundled actin filaments which spans the joint and stabilizes the stereocilium.

The outer segment of a vertebrate photoreceptor that contains a stack of membrane discs embedded with photoreceptor proteins.

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.

All of the contents of a cell excluding the plasma membrane and nucleus, but including other subcellular structures.

The lipid bilayer surrounding the lysosome and separating its contents from the cell cytoplasm.

The lipid bilayer surrounding the lysosome and separating its contents from the cell cytoplasm.

The part of the cytoplasm that does not contain organelles but which does contain other particulate matter, such as protein complexes.

The dense covering of microvilli on the apical surface of a epithelial cells in tissues such as the intestine, kidney, and choroid plexus; the microvilli aid absorption by increasing the surface area of the cell.

The region of the plasma membrane located at the apical end of the cell.

A protein complex, formed of one or more myosin heavy chains plus associated light chains and other proteins, that functions as a molecular motor; uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to move actin filaments or to move vesicles or other cargo on fixed actin filaments; has magnesium-ATPase activity and binds actin. Myosin classes are distinguished based on sequence features of the motor, or head, domain, but also have distinct tail regions that are believed to bind specific cargoes.

A protein complex, formed of one or more myosin heavy chains plus associated light chains and other proteins, that functions as a molecular motor; uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to move actin filaments or to move vesicles or other cargo on fixed actin filaments; has magnesium-ATPase activity and binds actin. Myosin classes are distinguished based on sequence features of the motor, or head, domain, but also have distinct tail regions that are believed to bind specific cargoes.

A myosin complex containing a dimer of class VII myosin heavy chains and associated light chains. Myosin VII (240 kDa) is predicted to be a dimeric molecule with 5 IQ motifs and a tail region with a short stretch of coiled coil followed by two myosin-tail homology (MyTH4) domains, two talin-binding (FERM) domains and an SH3-domain.

A myosin complex containing a dimer of class VII myosin heavy chains and associated light chains. Myosin VII (240 kDa) is predicted to be a dimeric molecule with 5 IQ motifs and a tail region with a short stretch of coiled coil followed by two myosin-tail homology (MyTH4) domains, two talin-binding (FERM) domains and an SH3-domain.

The portion of the photoreceptor cell cilium linking the photoreceptor inner and outer segments. It's considered to be equivalent to the ciliary transition zone.

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 tissue-specific, membrane-bounded cytoplasmic organelle within which melanin pigments are synthesized and stored. Melanosomes are synthesized in melanocyte cells.

The region of the cytoplasm located at the apical side of the cell. Used in reference to animal polarized epithelial cells.

The region of the cytoplasm located at the apical side of the cell. Used in reference to animal polarized epithelial cells.

The tapered base of the stereocilium adjacent to where it joins the hair cell body. This region contains a rootlet comprised of bundled actin filaments which spans the joint and stabilizes the stereocilium.

An electron-dense plaque at the upper end of a stereocilia tip link that provides the anchor in the stereocilia membrane on the side of the stereocilium where the tip link ends.

An electron-dense plaque at the upper end of a stereocilia tip link that provides the anchor in the stereocilia membrane on the side of the stereocilium where the tip link ends.