The Auditory System

Question 0

What is the psychological dimension of amplitude?

Answer 0

Loudness perception

Question 1

At what range of frequency can humans hear?

Answer 1

20-20,000 hertz

Question 2

What is the physical dimension of pitch?

Answer 2

Frequency of waves

Question 3

What is the physical dimension of timbre?

Answer 3

Complexity of waves

Question 4

What anatomical feature lies in the outer ear and what is it’s function?

Answer 4

The piña and piña folds collect and channel sound waves into the auditory canal.

Question 5

What are some features of the middle ear? And why can it get infected?

Answer 5

The middle ear contains the tympanic membrane (ear drum), the ossicles and the oval window. It is a cavity filled with air with a connective tube to the throat. This can cause middle ear infections.

Question 6

What is the function of the ossicles?

Answer 6

The ossicles convert sound waves into vibrations and projects them onto the oval window.

Question 7

Explain what’s in the inner ear.

Answer 7

The inner ear is a fluid filled cavity that contains the cochlear.

Question 8

What is the main function of the cochlea?

Answer 8

The conversion of vibrations into neural signals.

Question 9

How are vibrations converted into neural signals in the cochlea?

Answer 9

The vibrations received from the oval window make the basilar membrane vibrate which in turn bends the extremely sensitive hair cells which stimulates neural signals.

Question 10

How many theories are there to explain pitch perception? Name them.

Answer 10

3
Frequency theory
Volley theory
Place theory

Question 11

Explain the frequency theory.

Answer 11

The frequency theory is used to describe how the pitch of sounds smaller than 400 hz can be perceived. It says that the whole basilar membrane will respond to these sounds and the frequency of these responses determines the pitch.

Question 12

Explain the volley theory.

Answer 12

The volley theory describes how pitches greater than 1000hz can be perceived. It says that pitch is determined by the frequency of “vollies” between neurons.

Question 13

Explain the place theory.

Answer 13

The place theory is for all pitches above 5000 hz. It says that for difference pitches a different part of the basilar membrane will vibrate. The closes the vibration is to the oval window, the higher it is.

Question 14

What is the beginning point and ending point for the auditory system?

Answer 14

The beginning point of the auditory system is the cochlear. The ending point is the auditory cortex.

Question 15

What transports the auditory neural signals from the cochlear to the cochlear nuclei?

Answer 15

The auditory nerve

Question 16

What comes after the cochlear nuclei and plays an important role in sound localisation?

Answer 16

Superior olivary nuclei

Question 17

Fill in the blanks.

Cochlea, ……., ………, superior olivary nuclei, ………, medial geniculate nucleus, ……….

Answer 17

Cochlea, auditory nerve, cochlear nuclei, superior olivary nuclei, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate nucleus and auditory cortex

Question 18

Fill in the blanks.

Cochlear, auditory nerve, ………, ……….., ……….., medial geniculate nucleus and auditory cortex

Answer 18

Cochlear nuclei, Superior olivary nuclei, inferior colliculus

Question 19

Where is the primary auditorycortex located?

Answer 19

Hidden in the lateral fissure in the temporal lobe

Question 20

Where is the secondary auditory cortex located?

Answer 20

Adjacently-inferiorly to primary auditory cortex in temporary lobe

Question 21

Where is the association area for the auditory system located? What’s it’s function for this particular system?

Answer 21

In the posterior parietal lobe. Plays a role in the localisation of sound.

Question 22

How is the auditory system organised? And what does this mean?

Answer 22

It is organised tonotopically and columnar. Therefore, it is organised by sound frequency or tone throughout the entire system.

Question 23

What two things can help determine the localisation of sound?

Answer 23

Time delays and intensity differences.

Question 24

Explain interval time differences

Answer 24

As there are ears on opposite sides of the head- one ear may receive sound waves quicker than the other. The ear that is quicker to receive probably is closer to the object.

Question 25

Explain intensity differences.

Answer 25

As the ears are on opposite sides of the head- the head may block some of the sound waves whilst trying to reach the other ear. The closer the ear, the more intense the sound.