Their somewhat rigid structure, and the fact that they are not encapsulated, causes them to have a sustained response (similar to action potentials or spikes) to mechanical deflection of the tissue. They are the most sensitive of the four main types of mechanoreceptors to vibrations at low frequencies, around 5 to 15 Hz.
Because of their sustained response to pressure, Merkel nerve endings are classified as slowly adapting. This is in contrast to Pacinian and Meissner's corpuscles, rapidly adapting receptors which respond only to the onset and offset of mechanical deflection, and to higher frequency vibrations.
In mammals, electrical recordings from single afferent nerve fibres have shown that the responses of Merkel nerve endings are characterized by a vigorous response to the onset of a mechanical ramp stimulus (dynamic), and then continued firing during the plateau phase (static). Firing during the static phase can continue for more than 30 minutes. The inter-spike intervals during sustained firing are irregular, in contrast to the highly regular pattern of inter-spike intervals obtained from slowly adapting type II mechanoreceptors.
They fire fastest when small points indent the skin and fire at a low rate on slow curves or flat surfaces. Convexities reduce their rate of firing further still.[1]
Merkel nerve endings are extremely sensitive to tissue displacement, and may respond to displacements of less than 1 μm. Type I afferent fibres have smaller receptive fields than type II fibres. Several studies indicate that type I fibres mediate high resolution tactile discrimination, and are responsible for the ability of our finger tips to feel fine detailed surface patterns (e.g. for reading Braille).
Merkel cell a specialized cell at or near the epithelial-dermal junction and believed to act as a touch receptor by association with the flat, disklike ending of a nerve fiber (tactile meniscus).
thefreedictionary.com
Merkel cells (mechanoreceptors) detect light touch and superficial pressure.
Merkel nerve endings are mechanoreceptors found in the basal layer of skin, as well as other areas of the body. Merkel nerve endings are extremely sensitive sensory receptors.
The skin, all 6-10 lb. (~3-4 kg) and 20 square feet in an adult, is a giant, washable, stretchable, tough, water-proof sensory apparatus covering your whole body. One of the endings that detect things is a encapsulated nerve ending formed by the tiny nerve cell of a dorsal root ganglion cell in next to a Merkel cell found in the basal layer hairy skin, in hair follicles, and in oral and anal mucosa.This called the Merkel disc and is a sensory receptor for pressure and texture information.
In the startum basale layer of the epidermis.
a cell permorms its function very uniquely cell helps in division and cell cycle too!
The function is same as of eukaryotic cell i-e they make proteins for the cell
Merkel nerve endings are mechanoreceptors found in the basal layer of skin, as well as other areas of the body. Merkel nerve endings are extremely sensitive sensory receptors.
It is a light touch receptor.
Merkel Cell
merkel cell
The skin, all 6-10 lb. (~3-4 kg) and 20 square feet in an adult, is a giant, washable, stretchable, tough, water-proof sensory apparatus covering your whole body. One of the endings that detect things is a encapsulated nerve ending formed by the tiny nerve cell of a dorsal root ganglion cell in next to a Merkel cell found in the basal layer hairy skin, in hair follicles, and in oral and anal mucosa.This called the Merkel disc and is a sensory receptor for pressure and texture information.
A unique touch receptor formed from stratum basale cell (and a nerve fiber) is a merkel cell.
In the startum basale layer of the epidermis.
The address of the Merkel Public Library is: 100 Kent, Merkel, 79536 3612
DNA. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkel_cell_polyomavirus
in a cell what is the function of the cell membrance
Tess Merkel's birth name is Therese Merkel.
The address of the Merkel Historical Society is: 1501 North 7Th, Merkel, TX 79536