Enhanced Vision in Fish Eyes: Acidity Provides Superior Sight
The University of California San Diego, in collaboration with other universities, has published a groundbreaking study in the journal eLife about a new mechanism in fish eyes that significantly enhances the retina's oxygen supply and improves the eye's ability to process visual input.
The research, conducted by Scripps Oceanography and other universities, sheds light on a unique acidifying vasculature within the fish eye. Till Harter, a postdoctoral researcher at Scripps Oceanography, played a key role in producing images for the study using excellent microscopy facilities at Scripps.
The vascular beds within the fish eye act as an acidifying gas-gland, similar to that found in their swim bladder. This mechanism allows for a rapid increase in oxygen supply to specific areas within the retina involved in signal-processing.
The study found similar proteins within the capillary bed of the fish's inner ear, as previously discovered in the retina. This suggests that the improved oxygen supply may not be limited to the eyes but could also extend to the inner ear, potentially enhancing balance and hearing.
The proton pumping protein involved in oxygen delivery in the fish eye is found in all eukaryotic organisms. Recent advances in microscopy and molecular techniques are allowing researchers to unveil novel aspects about its functions in diverse organisms.
More than 300 million years ago, hemoglobin in fish mutated to become much more sensitive to acid, allowing for the development of this unique oxygen delivery mechanism. The protein is essential for various processes, including sharks controlling blood pH, improving photosynthesis in algae within corals, helping bone-eating worms dissolve bones, and aiding giant clams in burrowing into reefs. It is also crucial for the ability of diatom algae to make their external silica wall.
The acidification of the blood in fish releases a large part of hemoglobin oxygen into the surrounding tissues, including the retina. Species with this unique acidifying vasculature within their retina have markedly enlarged the areas involved in signal-processing, potentially improving their ability to identify and track prey.
Scripps Oceanography, a world-renowned centre for global earth science research and education, operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, a public exploration centre that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year. The National Science Foundation and UC San Diego Arthur M. and Kate E. Tode Research Endowment in Marine Biological Processes supported the research.
The research group is currently investigating whether a similar oxygen delivery mechanism helps the inner ear maintain proper balance and hearing. With ongoing research, we may uncover more about the intricate workings of the fish eye and its potential implications for various organisms, including humans.
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