Final answer:
The otolithic organs respond to changes in head position and movement. They detect changes through the displacement of the otolithic membrane, which causes hair cells to bend.
Step-by-step explanation:
The otolithic organs are part of the vestibular system in the inner ear, which is responsible for detecting changes in head position and movement. The otolithic organs include the utricle and saccule, which are composed of macula tissue. The macula has hair cells surrounded by support cells, and on top of the otolithic membrane is a layer of calcium carbonate crystals called otoliths.
When the head tilts or moves, the otolithic membrane slides over the macula, causing the stereocilia of hair cells to bend, resulting in the depolarization or hyperpolarization of hair cells. These changes are then interpreted by the brain to determine the exact position of the head based on the pattern of hair-cell depolarization.