Final answer:
The central chamber where receptor cells are found is the organ of Corti in the cochlea, containing mechanoreceptor hair cells vital for hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central chamber where receptor cells are found is known as the organ of Corti, more specifically, it sits atop the basilar membrane inside the cochlea of the inner ear. This structure contains mechanoreceptor hair cells which are essential for auditory transduction.
The organ of Corti is integral to the process of hearing. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the basilar membrane to vibrate, which in turn causes the hair cells to move. These movements lead to the opening of ion channels, resulting in the depolarization of hair cell membranes and the generation of neural signals that are transmitted to the brain via the cochlear nerve. Inner hair cells act as the primary auditory receptors, whereas outer hair cells serve to enhance the precision of sound transduction. Each hair cell possesses short, hair-like structures called stereocilia which, when bent by vibrations, respond by initiating an electrical signal that contributes to the perception of sound.