Question

In the human cochlea, the part of the basilar membrane nearest the oval window codes:

A) middle frequencies.
B) low frequencies.
C) high frequencies.
D) low and middle frequencies.

Answer 1

The part of the basilar membrane nearest the oval window in the cochlea codes for high frequencies, following the place theory of pitch perception.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the human cochlea, the part of the basilar membrane nearest the oval window codes for high frequencies. According to the place theory of pitch perception, the cochlea uses a mechanism where different parts of the basilar membrane are sensitive to different frequencies of sound. Hair cells located at the base of the cochlea, closer to the oval and round windows, are activated by these high frequencies, while hair cells at the apex of the cochlea respond to low frequencies. The relative movement of the basilar membrane and the specific hair cells activated by various sound frequencies allow the cochlea to effectively encode the full range of audible sound, much like a piano separating sounds by different keys.