Question

The transduction of sound waves into action potentials occurs ________.

A. when hair cells are bent against the tectorial membrane, causing them to depolarize and release neurotransmitter that stimulates sensory neurons.

B. as the basilar membrane vibrates at different frequencies in response to the varying volume of sounds.

C. within the tectorial membrane as it is stimulated by the hair cells.

D. within the middle ear as the vibrations are amplified by the malleus, incus, and stapes.

E. as the basilar membrane becomes more permeable to sodium ions and depolarizes, initiating an action potential in a sensory neuron.

Answer 1

A. when hair cells are bent against the tectorial membrane, causing them to depolarize and release neurotransmitter that stimulates sensory neurons.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is the mechanism of propagation and transmission of sound waves as action potential to from the ear to auditory centres in the brain. This mechanism takes place in the inner ear( organ of corti, supported by basilar membrane.There are group of receptors in the Endolymph, whicha are hair cells supported by the tectorial membrane,.The organ of Corti acts as transducers in the inner ear and converts the circular fluid motion to electrical signals as action potential, when the hair cells bends against the tectorial membrane as a results of vibration of the endolymph The causes depolarization, and therefore action potential.

The potential is transmitted to the auditory centres in the brain for sound perceptions.