Auditory System Flashcards
What do we use sound for?
communication, emotion, survival
What does sound cause
one dimensional movement of the two eardrums
Sound frequency units
pitch - Hz
Sound intensity units
loudness - dB
How is sound frequency achieved
cochlear mechanics and physiology of hair cells
How is sound intensity achieved
firing rate of many ANFs
How is the ear adapted for sound duration
specialised sensory cell synapses for sustaining high rates of neurotransmitter release
What features of sound need encoding
frequency, intensity, onset, duration
What innervates the cochlear
auditory nerve
What lies on the basilar membrane
organ of corti
What are the chambers of the cochlea
scala vestibuli, scala media and scala tymphani
characteristics of endolymph
high potassium, low calcium
Perilymph characteristics
normal
Structure of the cochlear
spiral
Cells at the top of the cochlear detect
low frequencies
What is preserved throughout the auditory pathway
tonotopicity
What establishes tonotopicity
basilar membrane travelling wave
What are all hair cells defined by?
stereocilia hair bundle and MET channels
Where are MET channels located
tips of shorter hair cells
How are MET channels opened
force applied to tip links - opens channels