Final answer:
The endolymph fluid in the cochlea lags when motion begins, leading to the bending of the tectorial membrane and the excitation of hair cells. This bending causes the release of neurotransmitters and initiates the translation of mechanical vibrations.
Step-by-step explanation:
When motion begins, the endolymph fluid lags behind and the tectorial membrane is bent, which excites the hair cells. This excitation is crucial for the auditory system to translate mechanical movements into electrical signals our brain can interpret as sound. Within the cochlea, sound waves cause pressure waves in the cochlear fluid, which makes the basilar membrane vibrate. This vibration causes the stereocilia on the hair cells, which project into the tectorial membrane, to bend.
The bending of the stereocilia leads to the release of neurotransmitters that create action potentials in the sensory neurons attached to hair cells. These electrical signals, or auditory information, travel along the auditory nerve to the brain. The complex process of hearing starts with these vibrational mechanics and ends with the central nervous system interpreting these signals as sound.