08 - Audition

Question 1

what is the basilar membrane

Answer 1

determines audible frequency range
- contains hearing receptors
- varies in animals

Question 2

What does having a longer basilar membrane mean

Answer 2

processing wider range of frequencies

Question 3

what are sound waves

Answer 3

initiated by vibrating an object (sudden burst of air, vocal cords)
- causes air particles to move

Question 4

What happens to the tympanic membrane if there is more dense air molecules

Answer 4

moves inward

Question 5

what does wavelength of sound mean

Answer 5

pitch
high freq = high pitch

Question 6

What does amplitude mean

Answer 6

loudness

larger = louder

Question 7

what does purity mean

Answer 7

timbre
percieved complexity of a sound

Question 8

what happens at the external ear

Answer 8

pinna (folded cone)
- collects sound waves from environment and directs waves along the ear canal

reaches the auditory canal
- narrows to ear drum and amplifies sound waves

reaches tympanic membrane
- vibrates at frequency of incoming sound wave
- forms back wall of ear canal

Question 9

what are the ossicles

Answer 9

stirrup
anvil
hammer

create a lever system that amplifies the vibration more
connects to oval window

Question 10

what is the cochlea

Answer 10

fluid filled tube
35 m long
converts fluid motion to neural impulses