Audition Flashcards
Transduction of sound in the ear happens
mechanically
Steps in transduction of sound: 1. sound waves vibrate the
tympanic membrane
Steps in transduction of sound: 2. vibrating of the tympanic membrane moves
ossicle bones
Steps in transduction of sound: 3. stapes transfers force to the perilymph in the
scala vestibule via the oval window
Steps in transduction of sound: 4. fluid in scala vestibule
vibrates
Steps in transduction of sound: 5. vibrating fluid causes basilar membrane to vibrate
net result is displacement of basilar membrane relative to tectorial membrane
Steps in transduction of sound: 6. displacement causes bending back and forth of stereocilia of hair cells in organ of Corti
when bent one direction they depolarize when bent the other direction they hyperpolarize
Steps in transduction of sound: 7. when depolarized the hair cells release
neurotransmitter on spiral ganglion cells
Steps in transduction of sound: 8. spiral ganglion cells conduct action potentials in cranial nerve
VIII in response to neurotransmitters
Steps in transduction of sound: 9. sound waves are converted into trains of action potentials by
organ of Corti
perilymph is like
CSF, it’s extracellular fluid
has high Na+ and low K+ concentrations
perilymph fills the
scala vestibule and scala tympani in the cochlea
in the bony labyrinth perilymph fills the space between the
bone tissue and the outer surface of the membranous labyrinth
endolymph is special
only found in the auditory and vestibular systems
has high K+ concentrations and pretty much no Na+
endolymph is present in side the
inner membranes of the membranous labyrinth
endolymph is in the
scala media/cochlear duct in the auditory system
frequency and amplitude coding in the cochlea
basilar membrane increases its width along its length
base of basilar membrane responds to
high frequencies
in humans we can hear up to 20,000 Hz
apex of the basilar membrane responds to
low frequencies
in humans we can hear down to 100 Hz
at a given frequency there is maximum displacement at some point of the basilar membrane; at that width the
spiral ganglion cells at the location send the maximum number of action potentials into the CNS
the region of the basilar membrane with the maximum vibration determines the frequency of the perceived sound
this is know as tonotopic
greater number of action potentials from the region determines the
loudness