Final answer:
The cochlea contains receptors for the sense of hearing, employing hair cells to convert sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cochlea contains receptors for the sense of hearing. The cochlea is part of the inner ear and uses hair cells as mechanoreceptors for auditory transduction. When sound waves enter the ear, they travel through the auditory canal, causing the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted via the ossicles to the fluid-filled cochlea, where they cause hair cells to move. This movement is converted into electrical signals that are sent to the brain, allowing us to perceive sound.
While the cochlea is responsible for hearing, other parts of the inner ear contribute to different senses. The vestibular system, which includes structures such as the utricle, saccule, and semicircular canals, uses hair cells for the sense of balance or equilibrium but is not involved in audition. Sensory systems like olfaction and vision employ different mechanisms and are localized to other organs, like the nose and eyes, respectively.