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Apr 27, 2021 06:20 PM EDT
Whiskers are more than just a facial enhancement for mammals. Aside from its cute feature, it is more than functional than it looks.
Whiskers serve a very important role in mammals sensory functions. Originally, sensory signals are sent to the brain through the follicle - the small spherical or vase-like base of the whisker made up of group of cells- and not through the whisker itself. Whiskers simply provide additional sensory input to the follicle, similar to antennae on insects.
(Photo : Photo by Alexas Fotos from Pexels)
Typically, research on mammals were done experimentally in laboratories. Scientists from the Northwestern University decided to develop a mechanical simulation exploring the biological transmission instead of actually using a real animal.
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IMAGE: Mechanics is key to whisker tactile sensation. When a whisker is deflected, its deformation profile within the follicle determines the activity of different groups of mechanoreceptors. view more
Credit: Northwestern University/Nadina Zweifel
We know your cat s whiskers are handsome but you can t even see the cool part.
The base of the whisker, which is responsible for sending touch signals to the brain, is hidden inside the follicle, a deep pocket that embeds the whisker within the skin. Because this section of the whisker is obscured, understanding precisely how whiskers communicate touch to the brain has been a longstanding mystery.