Ch 12 The Auditory System testbank ?s

Question 1

1. A human’s perception of pitch corresponds to the _______ of a sound wave;
   perception of loudness corresponds to the _______ of a sound wave.
   a. frequency; amplitude
   b. amplitude; frequency
   c. waveform; amplitude
   d. amplitude; phase
   e. phase; waveform

Answer 1

Answer: a
Textbook Reference: Sound
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 2

2. For which sound energy would a Fourier transform be most useful in breaking down
   the frequency spectrum into its component waves?
   a. Wind
   b. White noise
   c. Running water
   d. Rain
   e. A duet

Answer 2

Answer: e
Textbook Reference: Sound
Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

Question 3

3. Which of the following would cause conductive hearing loss?
   a. Damage to the auditory nerve
   b. Genetic predisposition to hair cell damage
   c. Ossification of the middle ear bones
   d. Frequent exposure to gunfire sounds
   e. Attending many loud concerts

Answer 3

Answer: c
Textbook Reference: Sound
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 4

4. A father notices that his daughter does not respond to him when she isn’t facing him,
   nor does she turn her head toward loud noises. After several appointments with doctors,
   the family is informed that the girl has malformed hair cells, but has fully functioning
   auditory nerves. What type of hearing loss does this girl have, and what would be the best
   treatment option?
   a. Conductive hearing loss; traditional hearing aid
   b. Conductive hearing loss; cochlear implant
   c. Sensorineural hearing loss; traditional hearing aid
   d. Sensorineural hearing loss; cochlear implant
   e. Sensorineural hearing loss; brainstem implant

Answer 4

Answer: d
Textbook Reference: Sound
Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

Question 5

5. Which frequency would be detected by a 23-year-old female with normal hearing, but
   not be heard by a 72-year-old man with normal hearing?
   a. 10 Hz
   b. 300 Hz
   c. 5 kHz
   d. 20 kHz
   e. 40 kHz

Answer 5

Answer: d
Textbook Reference: The Audible Spectrum
Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

Question 6

6. Where does central processing first occur along the auditory pathway?
   a. Tympanic Membrane
   b. Cochlear nucleus
   c. Concha
   d. Superior olivary complex
   e. Inferior colliculus

Answer 6

Answer: b
Textbook Reference: A Synopsis of Auditory Function
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 7

7. Which structure is not part of the external ear?
   a. Tympanic membrane
   b. Concha
   c. Pinna
   d. Auditory meatus
   e. Cochlea

Answer 7

Answer: e
Textbook Reference: The External Ear
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 8

8. Hearing loss in the range of _______ is most detrimental to speech recognition.
   a. 20–50 Hz
   b. 100–400 Hz
   c. 700–900 Hz
   d. 2–5 kHz
   e. 15–20 kHz

Answer 8

Answer: d
Textbook Reference: The External Ear
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 9

9. What is the main function of the ossicles?
   a. Reduce energy transfer to the cochlea from loud noises
   b. Reduce pressure in the middle ear
   c. Transfer vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window
   d. Convert sound vibrations into neural impulses
   e. Provide cues for elevation of high frequency sound sources

Answer 9

Answer: c
Textbook Reference: The Middle Ear
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 10

10. The _______ allows _______ to flow between the chambers on either side of the
    _______ membrane.
    a. round window; helicotrema; basilar
    b. perilymph; helicotrema; basilar
    c. round window; perilymph; tectorial
    d. oval window; helicotrema; tectorial
    e. helicotrema; perilymph; basilar

Answer 10

Answer: e
Textbook Reference: The Inner Ear
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 11

11. Why is the flexibility of the round window vital for proper functioning of the
    cochlea?
    a. It is responsible for the differing flexibility of the basilar membrane.
    b. There must be a space for liquid to move after displacement from the oval window
    because liquid does not compress.
    c. It gives rise to the topographical mapping of frequency in the cochlea, which allows for
    the decomposition of sound.
    d. The traveling wave in the fluid produces a shearing motion of the hair cells, which
    causes a voltage change in the round window.
    e. It allows for a traveling wave to reach a point of maximum displacement based on its
    frequency.

Answer 11

Answer: b
Textbook Reference: The Inner Ear
Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

Question 12

12. Which structure(s) connect(s) adjacent stereocilia?
    a. Tip links
    b. Kinocilium
    c. Inner hair cells
    d. Outer hair cells
    e. Microtubules

Answer 12

Answer: a
Textbook Reference: Hair Cells and the Mechanoelectrical Transduction of Sound Waves
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 13

13. A student who is working on a cure hearing loss develops a hair cell MET channel
    agonist. Would you expect this drug to be effective? Why?
    a. Yes; it would increase the flow of cations into the hair cell.
    b. Yes; it would open the MET channel without sound stimuli.
    c. Yes; it would induce a second messenger cascade that will hold MET channels open
    longer.
    d. No; the MET channel can only be altered by mechanical means.
    e. No; it would decrease the flow of cations into the hair cell.

Answer 13

Answer: d
Textbook Reference: Hair Cells and the Mechanoelectrical Transduction of Sound Waves
Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

Question 14

14. Which of the following is responsible for the biphasic receptor potential of hair cells?
    a. Differing ionic properties between the surrounding perilymph and endolymph
    b. Transduction channels that are open at rest
    c. Increases in intracellular calcium causing transmitter release
    d. Ion-pumping cells in the stria vascularis increasing intracellular potassium stores
    e. Gap junctions along the apical and basal surfaces

Answer 14

Answer: b
Textbook Reference: The Ionic Basis of Mechanotransduction in Hair Cells
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 15

15. How does ionic composition of endolymph differ from most extracellular fluids?
    a. It is K + -poor and Na + -rich.
    b. It is Ca 2+ -poor and Na + -rich.
    c. It is K + -rich and Na + -rich.
    d. It is Ca 2+ -poor and Na + -poor.
    e. It is K + -rich and Na + -poor.

Answer 15

Answer: e
Textbook Reference: The Ionic Basis of Mechanotransduction in Hair Cells
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 16

16. In the inner ear, evidence suggests that the _______ is(are) an essential component of
    the cochlear amplifier.
    a. tectorial membrane
    b. stria vascularis
    c. outer hair cells
    d. endolymph
    e. scala media

Answer 16

Answer: c
Textbook Reference: The Cochlear Amplifier
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 17

17. Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions can cause which of the following auditory
    problems?
    a. Deafness
    b. Tinnitus
    c. Presbyacusis
    d. Ossification of the ossicles
    e. Auditory nerve damage

Answer 17

Answer: b
Textbook Reference: The Cochlear Amplifier
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 18

18. A scientist studying auditory transmission of low frequencies would take a recording
    from nerves at the _______ of the cochlea and look for _______ firing in response to a
    stimulus.
    a. base; constant
    b. base; phase locked
    c. apex; constant
    d. apex; phase locked
    e. apex; out of phase

Answer 18

Answer: d
Textbook Reference: Tuning and Timing in the Auditory Nerve
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 19

19. Which of the following could a human ear transduce most optimally?
    a. A conversation
    b. A thunderstorm
    c. A dog barking
    d. A plane taking off
    e. A computerized tone

Answer 19

Answer: a
Textbook Reference: Tuning and Timing in the Auditory Nerve
Bloom’s Level: 4. Analyzing

Question 20

20. The auditory nerve connects the _______ of the cochlea to the _______ in the
    medulla.
    a. spiral ganglion processes; inferior colliculus
    b. cochlear nucleus; inferior colliculus
    c. spiral ganglion processes; cochlear nucleus
    d. cochlear nucleus; spiral ganglion processes
    e. inferior colliculus; cochlear nucleus

Answer 20

Answer: c
Textbook Reference: How Information from the Cochlea Reaches Targets in the
Brainstem
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 21

21. A 500-Hz signal from a speaker located to the left of a study participant will reach its
    target neuron in the ______ superior olive from the left ear _______ compared to the
    same neuron from the right ear.
    a. medial; sooner
    b. medial; later
    c. medial; at the same time
    d. lateral; sooner
    e. lateral; later

Answer 21

Answer: a
Textbook Reference: Integrating Information from the Two Ears
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 22

22. The lateral superior olive uses which of the following properties of interaural sound
    for localization?
    a. Time
    b. Frequency
    c. Waveform
    d. Period
    e. Intensity

Answer 22

Answer: e
Textbook Reference: Integrating Information from the Two Ears
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 23

23. Which statement about the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus is false?
    a. Their output converges at the pons.
    b. They receive input from the cochlear nucleus.
    c. They respond to monaural sound.
    d. They process duration of sound.
    e. They process onset of sound.

Answer 23

Answer: a
Textbook Reference: Monaural Pathways from the Cochlear Nucleus to the Nuclei of the
Lateral Lemniscus
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 24

24. Which part of the brain precisely maps sound tonotopically?
    a. Belt region
    b. Parabelt region
    c. Medial geniculate complex
    d. Core region
    e. Inferior colliculus

Answer 24

Answer: d
Textbook Reference: The Auditory Cortex
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 25

25. The auditory cortex is located on the _______ gyri within the _______ sulcus.
    a. fusiform; lateral
    b. superior temporal; lateral
    c. inferior temporal; lateral
    d. transverse temporal; central
    e. fusiform; central

Answer 25

Answer: b
Textbook Reference: The Auditory Cortex
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 26

26. A woman has a stroke that damages her secondary auditory cortex. Which sounds
    will she have the most trouble making sense of?
    a. Sounds of nature
    b. Computerized tones
    c. Speech
    d. Car horns
    e. White noise

Answer 26

Answer: c
Textbook Reference: The Auditory Cortex
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 27

27. Which of the following best supports the notion that the auditory cortex is influenced
    by nonauditory information?
    a. Electrophysiological recordings reveal that primary auditory neurons have decreased
    response to sounds played in reverse.
    b. Neural responses to speech spread from posterior to anterior regions of the superior
    temporal gyrus.
    c. Alternating patches of EE and EI neurons are found near the tonotopic map.
    d. Auditory cortex activity decreases during speech production.
    e. Damage to the auditory cortex reveals an inability to discriminate temporal differences
    in speech.

Answer 27

Answer: d
Textbook Reference: The Auditory Cortex
Bloom’s Level: 5. Evaluating

Question 28

28. If a subject undergoes an MRI scan while listens to their favorite song, which area of
    the brain would you expect to show the greatest activity?
    a. Right belt
    b. Right core
    c. Left belt
    d. Left core
    e. All brain areas would show similar activity

Answer 28

Answer: a
Textbook Reference: The Auditory Cortex
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 29

1. Which perceptual qualities of sound waves are based on frequency and which are
   based on amplitude?

Answer 29

Answer: The frequency of a sound wave corresponds to pitch, while the amplitude
corresponds to loudness.
Textbook Reference: Sound
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 30

2. What is the audible frequency range in humans (in Hz)? What is the approximate range of human speech sounds?

Answer 30

Answer: The audible range in humans is 20 Hz–20 kHz. The approximate range for
human speech is 2–5 kHz.
Textbook Reference: The Audible Spectrum
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 31

3. Describe the tonotopy of the basilar membrane.

Answer 31

Answer: The geometric structure of the basilar membrane allows a traveling wave from a
stimulus to reach a point of maximum displacement based on frequency. High
frequencies are detected at the base of the basilar membrane, while low frequencies are
detected at the apex. This gives rise to topographical mapping of frequency.
Textbook Reference: The Inner Ear
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 32

4. List the steps in stimulus transduction, from the physical sound stimulus to the
   electrical signals of inner hair cells. Indicate which steps take place in the external,
   middle, and inner ear.

Answer 32

Answer: Sound waves are gathered in the external ear, and cause the tympanic membrane
to vibrate. This vibration is transferred to the oval window of the cochlea via the ossicles
of the middle ear. The vibration is transferred to the endolymph in the scala media to
move the stereocilia of the hair cells against the tectorial membrane. This creates a
shearing force that induces tip links on the stereocilia to modulate the opening of
mechanoelectrical transduction channels. An influx of cations then depolarizes the cell,
increasing internal Ca 2+ , and releasing transmitter onto the auditory nerve.
Textbook Reference: The Ionic Basis of Mechanotransduction in Hair Cells
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 33

5. What is the function of the outer hair cells?

Answer 33

Answer: Outer cells are important in modulating basilar membrane motion, and studies
indicate that they are a component of the cochlear amplifier.
Textbook Reference: The Cochlear Amplifier
Bloom’s Level: 1. Remembering

Question 34

6. What two strategies does the auditory system use to code sound frequency?

Answer 34

Answer: The auditory system uses temporal coding for sounds up to approximately 3
kHz. It also utilizes label-line coding via the tonotopically organized basilar membrane.
Textbook Reference: Tuning and Timing in the Auditory Nerve
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 35

7. Where does the auditory nerve project?

Answer 35

Answer: The auditory nerve projects to the dorsal, posteroventral, and anteroventral
cochlear nucleus.
Textbook Reference: How Information from the Cochlea Reaches Targets in the
Brainstem
Bloom’s Level: 2. Understanding

Question 36

8. Compare the strategies for sound localization via by neurons in the medial superior
   olive (MSO) versus the lateral superior olive (LSO)/medial nucleus of the trapezoid body
   (MNTB).

Answer 36

Answer: Sound localization in the MSO relies on interaural time differences for
frequencies below 3 kHz. In the case of frequencies above 3 kHz, interaural intensities
are responsible for sound localization via the LSO and MNTB.
Textbook Reference: Integrating Information from the Two Ears
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying

Question 37

9. Compare the functions of the inferior colliculus, medial geniculate complex (MGC),
   and primary auditory cortex.

Answer 37

Answer: The inferior colliculus is important in integrative functions, such as the
processing of sound frequencies and integration of localization cues. The MGC is the
relay station to the auditory cortex and it is selective for specific frequency combinations
and time intervals of sounds. The auditory cortex maps sound tonotopically, and is
influenced by other nonauditory information, such speech production.
Textbook Reference: The Auditory Thalamus
Bloom’s Level: 3. Applying