This is the first book to provide a molecular level explanation of how the senses work, linking molecular biology with sensory physiology to deduce the molecular mechanism of a key step in sensory signal generation. The editors have assembled expert authors from all fields of sensory physiology for an authoritative overview of the mechanisms of sensory signal transduction in both animals and plants. They systematically cover phototransduction, chemosensory transduction, mechanotransduction, temperature and pain perception, as well as specialized receptors for electrical and magnetic signals. Required reading for biologists, physiologists and medical researchers with an interest in sensory physiology.