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About the Cover
Cover: The ability of the fish lateral line system to detect flow depends on the mechanics of sensory organs called superficial neuromasts. McHenry and van Netten (pp. 4244−4253) examined these mechanics by measuring the flexural stiffness of superficial neuromasts like the one pictured here (left circle) from the trunk of a 4 mm long zebrafish larva (Danio rerio). They found that hair cell kinocilia within the neuromast stiffen the structure such that it behaves like a two-part beam (right circle) with a stiff base and flexible tip. Therefore, the number and height of kinocilia within a neuromast should greatly influence its sensitivity.
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