15 Questions
When does the Timing Theory apply and what does it suggest about spontaneous activity?
The Timing Theory applies for frequencies up to 3kHz and suggests that spontaneous activity appears random on dot rasters but uniform on PST histograms.
Explain the concept of adaptation in the context of coding high-frequency tones.
Adaptation occurs when hair cells release many transmitters at stimulus onset, then reduce the spike rate to keep up with the stimulus, leading to fatigue and an eventual return to spontaneous rate.
What distinguishes the response of high-frequency tones in a graph showing a DC response?
Although a DC response is uniform, high-frequency tones show varying responses due to adaptation of hair cells releasing transmitters at different rates.
How is coding of low-frequency tones different from high-frequency tones?
Low-frequency tones below 3kHz show distinct peaks and valleys in the graph, with neurotransmitters released mainly at the peaks.
What kind of response can be expected from a tail of a high-frequency tuning curve below 3kHz?
An AC response from an 8kHz tone can be observed if the tail of a high-frequency tuning curve is seen below 3kHz.
Explain why inner hair cells (IHC) exhibit a DC component.
IHC exhibit a DC component because their average value is more positive than their open probability at resting potential.
Explain why humans have a maximum hearing frequency limit.
Humans have a max hearing freq limit because it takes time for ions to flow in slowly, causing a limit in the frequency that can be detected.
What is the difference in open probability at rest between inner hair cells (IHC) and outer hair cells (OHC)?
IHC open probability at rest is 50% of the time, while OHC open probability at rest is 10% of the time.
How do inner hair cells (IHC) and outer hair cells (OHC) differ in their response to high-frequency tones?
IHC can inform about higher frequency sounds due to their asymmetrical receptor potential, while OHC fail to detect anything above 3kHz.
Why do outer hair cells (OHC) fail to detect frequencies above 3kHz?
OHC fail to detect frequencies above 3kHz because the AC component cannot follow when the stimulus frequency is so fast.
What role does the asymmetrical receptor potential play in the detection of higher frequency sounds?
The asymmetrical receptor potential in inner hair cells (IHC) enables them to inform about higher frequency sounds.
Explain the concept of half-wave rectification nonlinearity in the context of auditory nerve connectivity.
Half-wave rectification nonlinearity refers to the asymmetric behavior observed in the response of direct current (DC) in the auditory nerve.
How does the membrane constant potential relate to the responsiveness of hair cells to sound?
The membrane constant potential influences the responsiveness of hair cells to sound by affecting the speed at which ions flow in, limiting the frequency that can be detected.
What is the significance of the characteristic frequency in the context of inner and outer hair cells?
The characteristic frequency is the maximum frequency that can be detected by inner and outer hair cells, representing their optimal responsiveness.
How does the open probability at rest of inner hair cells (IHC) impact their ability to detect sound frequencies?
The higher open probability at rest of inner hair cells (IHC) allows them to detect a wider range of sound frequencies compared to outer hair cells (OHC).
Test your knowledge on the physiology of the auditory nerve, including the role of MOC fibers, olivocochlear bundle, IHC & OHC, and action potential generation and propagation. Explore how neurotransmitters are released in hair cells.
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