Final answer:
The place theory of hearing describes how different sound frequencies stimulate specific locations on the basilar membrane in the cochlea, with hair cells tuned to these frequencies relaying signals to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory being discussed is known as the place theory, which is integral to our understanding of how different frequency sounds are perceived by the human ear. According to this theory, different frequencies of sound wave vibrations stimulate specific regions of the basilar membrane within the cochlea of the inner ear. High-frequency sounds tend to activate the portion of the membrane near the entrance at the oval window, while low-frequency sounds travel further along the membrane to excite regions closer to the apex.
The hair cells located on the basilar membrane are tuned to respond to specific frequencies. With the membrane vibrating at different locations based on the pitch of the incoming sound waves, corresponding hair cells relay these vibrations as signals to the auditory nerve, enabling the brain to interpret the pitch of the sound. The extreme sensitivity and range of human pitch perception suggest the existence of an auditory sharpening mechanism to refine the detection of different pitches.