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RADICAL PAIR. “When the Radical Pair Model was put forward, applying radio-frequency magnetic fields in the MHz range was suggested as a diagnostic tool. The respective experiments supported the model: adding such fields to the geomagnetic field disrupted magnetic compass orientation in several species of birds.” http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/12/103/20141103.full View in LinkedIn

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NEW TOOLS. “Despite a wealth of behavioural evidence that provides compelling support for magnetic field perception in animals, the cellular and molecular basis for this sense remains to be discovered and characterized. The reasons why the location, structure and function of magnetoreceptor cells have remained hidden to this point are many, but with the advent of new characterization methods and innovative experimental approaches many research tools now exist for resolving this long-standing biological question.” http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/12/110/20150499.full View in LinkedIn

CHEMICAL SPIN. “These properties of the avian magnetic compass remained enigmatic until the Radical Pair Model provided a possible explanation. The model, described in detail by Ritz et al. proposes that the avian magnetic compass is based on spin-chemical processes in specialized photopigments.” http://rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/12/103/20141103.full View in LinkedIn

STELLAR VS COMPASS. “The brain region Cluster N is necessary for magnetic compass orientation behavior, but not for star and Sun compass orientation. The trigeminal nerve is neither necessary nor sufficient for magnetic compass orientation in European robins.” https://lnkd.in/eUbuD-a View in LinkedIn

TWO MECHANISMS. “On the basis of current scientific evidence, iron-mineral-based magnetoreception and radical-pair-based magnetoreception mechanisms seem to exist in birds, but they seem to be used for different purposes.” https://lnkd.in/eUbuD-a View in LinkedIn

QUANTUM CHEMISTRY. “A light-sensitive molecule (D) absorbs light and uses the light energy to transfer an electron to an acceptor (A); thereby, a radical pair is produced. If this radical pair is long-lived (>1 μs), then it can, depending on the spin of the electrons, exist in one of two states—a singlet state (spins antiparallel) or a triplet state (spins parallel). It is known from chemistry that singlet and triplet states have different chemical properties; thus, they often result in different chemical end products. Earth-strength magnetic fields can theoretically affect this statistical equilibrium and thereby modulate a presently unknown biochemical pathway.” https://lnkd.in/eUbuD-a View in LinkedIn

WEAK SIGNAL. “It is very challenging to sense magnetic fields as weak as that of the Earth using only biologically available materials. Only two basic mechanisms are considered theoretically viable in terrestrial animals: iron-mineral-based magnetoreception and radical-pair based magnetoreception.” https://lnkd.in/eUbuD-a View in LinkedIn

STRUCTURAL COMPASS. “The magnetic compass behavior of newts and birds is dependent on the wavelengths of light being available during behavioral tests; theoretical considerations led Klaus Schulten to suggest that chemical reactions in photosensitive molecules could form the basis of a magnetic compass sense.” https://lnkd.in/eUbuD-a View in LinkedIn