Final answer:
The area of the auditory cortex that responds to piano tones was found to be larger in musicians compared to non-musicians due to brain plasticity and specialized training. This is related to place theory and the fine-tuning of pitch perception by the hair cells on the basilar membrane within the auditory system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study by Pantav et al. demonstrated that the area of the auditory cortex that is activated by piano tones is larger in musicians than it is in non-musicians. This phenomenon is a result of the brain's plasticity, which allows it to adapt and reorganize itself based on new experiences or learning. In this case, the consistent practice and exposure to music that musicians undergo lead to a more developed auditory cortex that is better equipped to process musical sounds. Such adaptations occur due to the place theory of pitch perception and the basilar membrane's role in sound frequency detection within the cochlea of the inner ear. The basilar membrane has hair cells that respond to various frequencies, and musicians, through extensive training, may develop greater sensitivity and a finer resolution in pitch perception. This specialized area of the auditory cortex then becomes larger and more fine-tuned to accommodate the specific needs of interpreting complex musical tones.