Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

15. The Special Senses

Introduction to Special Senses

Anatomy & Physiology

15. The Special Senses

Introduction to Special Senses

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2:08 minutes

Problem 16

Textbook Question

Which of the following statements does not correctly describe the spiral organ?
a. Sounds of high frequency stimulate hair cells at the basal end.
b. The 'hairs' of the receptor cells are embedded in the tectorial membrane.
c. The basilar membrane acts as a resonator.
d. The more numerous outer hair cells are largely responsible for our perception of sound.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Begin by understanding the anatomy and function of the spiral organ (organ of Corti), which is located in the cochlea of the inner ear. It is responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals.

Step 2: Review the role of hair cells in the spiral organ. There are two types of hair cells: inner hair cells, which are primarily responsible for transmitting auditory signals to the brain, and outer hair cells, which amplify sound vibrations and fine-tune the response of the basilar membrane.

Step 3: Analyze each statement provided in the question: (a) Sounds of high frequency stimulate hair cells at the basal end of the cochlea, which is correct because the cochlea is tonotopically organized. (b) The 'hairs' (stereocilia) of the receptor cells are embedded in the tectorial membrane, which is also correct. (c) The basilar membrane acts as a resonator, which is accurate as it vibrates in response to sound waves. (d) The more numerous outer hair cells are largely responsible for our perception of sound, which is incorrect because inner hair cells are primarily responsible for sound perception.

Step 4: Identify the incorrect statement based on the analysis above. Statement (d) does not correctly describe the spiral organ because outer hair cells are not primarily responsible for sound perception; their role is to amplify and modulate sound vibrations.

Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer to the question is statement (d), as it does not accurately describe the function of the spiral organ.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Spiral Organ (Organ of Corti)

The spiral organ, or organ of Corti, is a structure located within the cochlea of the inner ear. It contains hair cells that are essential for converting sound vibrations into neural signals. The arrangement of these hair cells allows for the detection of different sound frequencies, with high frequencies stimulating hair cells at the base and lower frequencies at the apex.

Basilar Membrane

The basilar membrane is a flexible structure in the cochlea that plays a crucial role in sound perception. It vibrates in response to sound waves, with its stiffness varying along its length, allowing it to act as a frequency analyzer. This means that different parts of the membrane resonate with different frequencies, facilitating the detection of pitch.

Outer Hair Cells

Outer hair cells are specialized cells in the spiral organ that amplify sound vibrations and enhance sensitivity to quieter sounds. They play a significant role in the cochlear amplifier mechanism, which fine-tunes the auditory response. While they contribute to sound perception, it is primarily the inner hair cells that are responsible for transmitting auditory information to the brain.