Textbook Question
What four cell populations make up the endocrine pancreas? Which hormone does each type of cell produce?
1050
views
Ch. 17 The Special Senses
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch. 1 An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology26
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Level of Organization34
- Ch. 3 The Cellular Level of Organization30
- Ch. 4 The Tissue Level of Organization24
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System17
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Structure36
- Ch. 7 The Axial Skeleton11
- Ch. 8 The Appendicular Skeleton17
- Ch. 9 Joints13
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue12
- Ch. 11 The Muscular System28
- Ch. 12 Nervous Tissue18
- Ch. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes22
- Ch. 14 The Brain and Cranial Nerves20
- Ch. 15 Sensory Pathways and the Somatic Nervous System17
- Ch. 16 The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order Functions30
- Ch. 17 The Special Senses16
- Ch. 18 The Endocrine System20
- Ch. 19 Blood31
- Ch. 20 The Heart31
- Ch. 21 Blood Vessels and Circulation29
- Ch. 22 The Lymphatic System and Immunity31
- Ch. 23 The Respiratory System12
- Ch. 24 The Digestive System18
- Ch. 26 The Urinary System31
- Ch. 27 Fluids & Electrolytes32
- Ch. 28 The Reproductive System12
- Ch. 29 Development and Inheritance23
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 17, Problem 21
Displacement of stereocilia toward the kinocilium of a hair cell
(a) Produces a depolarization of the membrane
(b) Produces a hyperpolarization of the membrane
(c) Decreases the membrane permeability to sodium ions
(d) Increases the membrane permeability to potassium ions
(e) Does not affect the membrane potential of the cell
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the structure of hair cells in the inner ear, specifically the role of stereocilia and the kinocilium in mechanotransduction.
Recognize that displacement of stereocilia toward the kinocilium causes mechanically gated ion channels to open.
Identify which ions flow through these channels; in hair cells, potassium ions (K+) from the endolymph enter the cell due to the high K+ concentration outside.
Understand that the influx of K+ ions depolarizes the hair cell membrane, making the inside more positive.
Conclude that displacement of stereocilia toward the kinocilium increases membrane permeability to potassium ions and produces depolarization of the membrane.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Structure and Function of Hair Cells
Hair cells are sensory receptors in the inner ear that detect mechanical stimuli through their stereocilia. The kinocilium is a specialized, taller cilium that helps determine the direction of stereocilia displacement, which influences the cell's electrical response.
Recommended video:
05:33
Cell Junctions
Mechanotransduction in Hair Cells
Displacement of stereocilia toward the kinocilium opens mechanically gated ion channels, allowing ions to flow into the hair cell. This process converts mechanical movement into an electrical signal, typically leading to depolarization when channels open.
Recommended video:
07:02Other Epidermal Cells
Ion Permeability and Membrane Potential Changes
In hair cells, potassium ions (K+) from the endolymph enter through open channels during stereocilia deflection toward the kinocilium, increasing membrane permeability to K+ and causing depolarization. This depolarization triggers neurotransmitter release and signal transmission.
Recommended video:
03:31Change in Membrane Potential
Related Practice
Textbook Question
What are the four types of papillae on the human tongue?
689
views
Textbook Question
Your friend Shelly suffers from myopia (nearsightedness). You remember from your physics class that concave lenses cause light waves to spread or diverge and that convex lenses cause light waves to converge. What type of corrective lenses would you suggest to your friend?
(a) Concave lenses
(b) Convex lenses
723
views
Textbook Question
You are at a park watching some deer 35 feet away from you. A friend taps you on the shoulder to ask a question. As you turn to look at your friend, who is standing just 2 feet away, what changes would your eyes undergo?
746
views
Textbook Question
What are the three auditory ossicles in the middle ear, and what are their functions?
1416
views
Textbook Question
Damage to the ampullary cupula of the lateral semicircular duct would interfere with the perception of
(a) The direction of gravitational pull
(b) Linear acceleration
(c) Horizontal rotation of the head
(d) Vertical rotation of the head
(e) Angular rotation of the head
752
views