What is the function of Johnston's organ in mosquitoes?

What is the function of Johnston's organ in mosquitoes?

• A. Detecting movement and sound vibrations, such as wingbeat frequency
• B. Regulating blood-feeding behavior
• C. Detecting chemical cues in nectar
• D. Measuring body temperature

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that Johnston's organ serves as a hearing-like sensor in mosquitoes, a mechanosensory system that detects movement and vibrations of the antenna. Located at the base of the antenna, it contains sensory cells that respond when air vibrations—such as those from wingbeats—move the antennal segments. These signals carry information about sound frequency and intensity, which mosquitoes use to locate and recognize mates, since wingbeat patterns are species- and sex-specific. This role is distinct from other senses: blood-feeding behavior is guided by host cues processed by olfactory and gustatory systems; chemical cues in nectar involve olfaction, and body temperature sensing involves thermoreceptors. So the best answer is that Johnston's organ detects movement and sound vibrations like wingbeat frequency.

The main idea here is that Johnston's organ serves as a hearing-like sensor in mosquitoes, a mechanosensory system that detects movement and vibrations of the antenna. Located at the base of the antenna, it contains sensory cells that respond when air vibrations—such as those from wingbeats—move the antennal segments. These signals carry information about sound frequency and intensity, which mosquitoes use to locate and recognize mates, since wingbeat patterns are species- and sex-specific. This role is distinct from other senses: blood-feeding behavior is guided by host cues processed by olfactory and gustatory systems; chemical cues in nectar involve olfaction, and body temperature sensing involves thermoreceptors. So the best answer is that Johnston's organ detects movement and sound vibrations like wingbeat frequency.