Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What causes the hair cell cilia to stretch and bend?
How are ion channels opened in the hair cells?
What changes the membrane potential of hair cells?
What causes the basilar membrane to move relative to the tectorial membrane?
Signup and view all the answers
What is responsible for pulling open ion channels in the hair cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the result of the movement of the cilia in the hair cells?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Mechanism of Hair Cell Stimulation
- Sound waves cause the basilar membrane to move relative to the tectorial membrane, resulting in the bending of hair cell cilia.
- The bending of cilia causes the opening of ion channels in the hair cells.
- The opening of ion channels allows positively charged potassium ions (K+) to flow into the hair cell, changing the membrane potential.
- The change in membrane potential is excitatory, meaning it generates an electrical signal that is transmitted to the brain.
- The movement of the cilia is responsible for pulling open the ion channels in the hair cells.
- The result of the movement of the cilia in the hair cells is the generation of an electrical signal that is transmitted to the brain, allowing us to hear.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of the auditory system with this quiz on how soundwaves cause the movement of the basilar membrane and the activation of hair cell cilia. Explore the physiological processes involved in converting sound into electrical signals in the auditory system.
