Question

The precise tuning of vibration along the basilar membrane reflects?

1) lateral inhibition of inner hair cells by outer hair cells.
2) the loss of outer hair cells due to the aging process.
3) the contractile capacity of inner hair cells.
4) the contractile capacity of outer hair cells.
5) longitudinal tension of the basilar membrane.

Answer 1

The precise tuning of vibration along the basilar membrane is due to the contractile capacity of outer hair cells, which modulate the response to sound frequencies and enhance pitch sensitivity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The precise tuning of vibration along the basilar membrane reflects the contractile capacity of outer hair cells. These cells can change their length in response to brain signals, thereby amplifying or dampening the response to specific frequencies, serving as an auditory "sharpening" mechanism. This allows for finer discrimination of sound frequencies, contributing to the high pitch sensitivity and selectivity in human hearing. The process whereby these outer hair cells adjust their length is essential for precise pitch perception, as laid out in the place theory of pitch perception.