Final answer:
The spiral organ, or organ of Corti, is located in the cochlea of the inner ear and is responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals. It contains hair cells with stereocilia that bend in response to vibrations, triggering nerve impulses. These impulses are sent to the brain for interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spiral organ, also known as the organ of Corti, is an essential part of the cochlea in the inner ear. It is responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The organ of Corti contains hair cells that have hair-like projections called stereocilia. When sound waves vibrate the fluid-filled cochlea, the basilar membrane moves, causing the stereocilia to bend and stimulate the hair cells.
This stimulation triggers the release of neurotransmitters, which initiate nerve impulses that are then transmitted to the brain for processing and interpretation.