Physiology of hearing

Question 1

What are the 2 stages of hearing

Answer 1

auditory transmission and sound transduction

Question 2

what is the function of outer hair cells

Answer 2

strengthen the vibration of the basilar membrane

Question 3

what is the function of inner hair cells

Answer 3

send neural impulses along the auditory nerve

Question 4

Describe the physillogy of hearing

Answer 4

In the auditory system, sound vibrations (mechanical energy) are transduced into electrical energy by hair cells in the inner ear. Sound vibrations from an object cause vibrations in air molecules, which in turn, vibrate the ear drum. The movement of the eardrum causes the bones of the middle ear (the ossicles) to vibrate. These vibrations then pass into the cochlea, the organ of hearing. Within the cochlea, the hair cells on the sensory epithelium of the organ of Corti bend and cause movement of the basilar membrane. The membrane undulates in different sized waves according to the frequency of the sound. Hair cells are then able to convert this movement (mechanical energy) into electrical signals (graded receptor potentials) which travel along auditory nerves to hearing centres in the brain.

Question 5

Describe the heavy/compliant

Answer 5

Light/ stiff gradient along the bailar membrane means that different frequencies cause it to vibrate most strongly in different places