Final answer:
The primary function of the tympanic membrane is to transmit sound vibrations to the auditory ossicles. It is a crucial component for hearing, as it vibrates in response to sound waves and transfers these vibrations to the middle ear bones. These vibrations are then passed on to the inner ear but the tympanic membrane itself does not transduce sound into neural signals. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary function of the tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, is b. To transmit sound vibrations to the auditory ossicles. When sound waves reach the tympanic membrane, it vibrates. These vibrations are then transferred to the three tiny bones in the middle ear: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). The stapes interfaces with the inner ear by connecting to a structure called the oval window. As sound travels, the transduction process ultimately converts the mechanical energy into nerve impulses that the brain can interpret as sound.
The tympanic membrane's ability to vibrate in response to sound waves makes it a critical component in the hearing process, playing an essential role in the audition—the ability to perceive sound. However, it is not directly involved in the transduction of sound into nerve signals; this occurs in the cochlea, located in the inner ear.