On the significance of the time constants of magnetic field sensitivity in animals.

A variety of organisms is known to have the ability to transduce and respond to relatively weak magnetic fields, including the earth's field. Though biogenic magnetite has been identified as the transducer in a number of cases with regards to geomagnetic field sensing, the mechanism underlying neurophysiological responses in human studies is not understood. Here we note that the time constants involved in this latter type of field sensitivity are much longer than those in organisms that make use of the earth's magnetic field for navigation. The purpose of this brief communication is to suggest that the time constants associated with magnetic field sensitivity may be a useful way to distinguish field sensitivity due to magnetite based receptors from sensitivity that may depend on direct (or downstream) biochemical processes. Bioelectromagnetics 26:234-237, 2005. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.