Author
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Byers, John |
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Submitted to: Journal of Chemical Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2014 Publication Date: 12/12/2014 Citation: Byers, J.A. 2014. Response to Martini and Habeck: Semiochemical dose-response curves fit by kinetic formation functions. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 40:1165-1166. Interpretive Summary: The simulation model of Byers where odor molecules strike an insect antenna with receptors was shown by Martini and Habeck to be mathematically a kinetic formation function. Byers' simulations indicated the electrical signal of an insect antenna is proportional to how many of the receptors are struck at least once by a molecule in a relatively short time. The simulations predict that increases in the numbers of molecules will cause an electrical signal in shape and size similar to signals from an actual insect antenna. However, other kinetic functions that describe chemical reaction rates may fit as well. Statistical curve fitting software using the kinetic functions is helpful to find curves that predict antennal signals as well as catches of insects depending on dosage of pheromones. The use of kinetic functions will allow more precise predictions of the catches of insects in traps depending on strength of a lure releasing chemicals for attracting pest insects. Technical Abstract: Martini and Habeck (2014) correctly describe the conceptual simulation model of Byers (2013) where molecules in an odor filament pass by an antenna causing an electrophysiological antennographic (EAG) response that is proportional to how many of the receptors are hit at least once by a molecule. Increasing the doses (numbers) of molecules would cause increasing numbers of depolarized receptors that result in a dose-EAG response curve. Byers (2013) used non-linear regression software (TableCurve 2D version 5.01, Systat Software Inc., Chicago, IL) to fit many functions including the logarithmic (r2 = 0.773) to the simulated data. However, kinetic formation functions fit the simulated data best (r2 = 0.99999), as well as many dose-response data sets in the literature. A family of kinetic formation functions was favored because they describe chemical reaction rates, which are known to be catalyzed by complex chemical binding and enzymatic processes in the antenna and central nervous system (Sachse and Krieger, 2011). |
