Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Volume 154 • 2005 Contents A. Bigiani, C. Mucignat-Caretta, G. Montani, and R. Tirindelli Pheromone Reception in Mammals W. Meyerhof Elucidation of Mammalian Bitter Taste H.U. Zeilhofer Synaptic Modulation in Pain Pathways C.-K. Chen The Vertebrate Phototransduction Cascade, Amplification and Termination Mechanisms