Question

Hair cells are mechanoreceptors employed in the inner ear of mammals and also in the lateral line organs on the body of fish. How might the bending of hair cell processes lead to depolarization

Answer 1

Explanation below

Step-by-step explanation:

Generally, there is presence of hairs in some inner areas of the mammals. Such areas are inner ears and nostrils. The hairs in these areas have some specific functions which include the prevention of dusts from entering the ears and the nose.

In this case, it should be understood that the bending of the hair cell stereocilia causes ion channels in the membrane to open, which in turn depolarizes the hair cells. Therefore,

each depolarized hair cell then releases a transmitter chemical, believed to be glutamate that stimulates an associated sensory neuron.

It should be noted that in the animal kingdom the stereocilia sensitivity to very slight mechanical movement would prove useful wherever small displacements are required for sensation of movement.

In conclusion, it can now be deduced from the explanation above that the bending of hair cell processes lead to depolarization.