Final answer:
A human cochlea contains approximately 15,000 hair cells, consisting of about 3,500 inner hair cells and 12,000 outer hair cells, which are instrumental in auditory perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are approximately 15,000 hair cells in a human cochlea. This number is the sum of about 3,500 inner hair cells, which are the primary auditory receptors, and around 12,000 outer hair cells that function to fine-tune the detection of sound waves. These hair cells are crucial for encoding auditory stimuli for frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz, which represents the range of sound that human ears can typically detect.
The transformation of sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret is performed by these hair cells within the cochlea, enabling the perception of pitch and volume. The inner hair cells are the primary auditory receptors in the human cochlea and exist in a single row, numbering approximately 3,500. The outer hair cells, on the other hand, are arranged in three or four rows and number approximately 12,000. These hair cells are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be sent to the brain for processing.