Question

Which of the following strongly supports the notion that a place code is involved in detecting medium pitch to high pitch sounds?

1) Cochlear implants can restore the understanding of speech sounds.
2) Mutant mice that lack inner hair cells are unable to hear.
3) Damage to the posterior temporal cortex impairs hearing.
4) Overgrowth of bone over the round window impairs hearing of high–but not low–pitch sounds.
5) Antibiotics can degenerate hair cells in an apical to basal direction and produce corresponding deficits in intensity perception.

Answer 1

The notion of a place code is best exemplified by the evidence that overgrowth of bone over the round window specifically impairs hearing of high, but not low, pitch sounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question explores the concept that a place code is involved in detecting medium pitch to high pitch sounds. The option that strongly supports the notion of a place code for pitch detection is: 4) Overgrowth of bone over the round window impairs hearing of high–but not low–pitch sounds. This option highlights the fact that specific physical structures within the ear are responsible for the ability to hear different frequencies, which aligns with the place theory.

The place theory suggests that different parts of the basilar membrane are sensitive to different frequencies of sound. The basilar membrane responds to high frequencies at its base near the oval and round windows and to low frequencies at its apex.