Question

How might being in a place with less gravity than Earth has (such as Earth’s moon) affect vestibular sensation, and why?

a) Vestibular sensations become more precise due to the lower gravitational force on the moon.
b) Vestibular sensations become less sensitive due to the lower gravitational force on the moon.
c) Vestibular sensations remain unchanged regardless of gravitational force.
d) Vestibular sensations become inverted due to the absence of gravity on the moon.

Answer 1

Vestibular sensation is likely impaired on the Moon due to the reduced gravitational force acting on the tiny crystals in the inner ear that are vital for balance and orientation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Being in a place with less gravity than Earth, such as the Moon, affects vestibular sensation because the vestibular system relies on gravity's effects on tiny crystals located within the inner ear. These crystals help our bodies maintain balance and spatial orientation in relation to gravity. On the Moon, where the gravity is much less (about 1/6th of Earth's gravity), the vestibular sensations would become less sensitive and likely impaired. The weaker gravitational pull means that the force acting on these crystals would be reduced, leading to a potential disruption in our ability to sense movement and orientation properly.

The correct answer to the question is b) Vestibular sensations become less sensitive due to the lower gravitational force on the moon.