Final answer:
The basilar membrane vibrates in response to different frequencies, not wavelengths, amplitudes, or directions, which enables the cochlea to detect diverse pitches. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
Different regions of the basilar membrane vibrate according to different frequencies of sound waves. The mechanic properties of the basilar membrane—being thicker and tauter at the base, and thinner and floppier toward the apex—allow it to resonate with different sound frequencies at specific regions.
This mechanism is critical for the cochlea's ability to discern pitches, where low frequencies stimulate hair cells at the membrane's apex and high frequencies stimulate those at its base.