Answered: explain how the ear converts vibrations…

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)

11th Edition

ISBN:9780134580999

Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...

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Related questions

Question

explain how the ear converts vibrations to nerve signals
and discriminates between sounds of different intensity
and pitch;

Expert Solution

Step 1

The body has the ability to detect and analyze six different varieties of special senses, and for doing so, the body comprises different sense organs. The tongue is specialized for detecting the sense of taste, the eyes are meant for detecting sight, the nose can detect signals of smell, the ears are specialized for hearing, and the skin has the ability to detect touch and pain senses.

Step 2

The waves of sound signals enter the outer ear canal leading to the vibration of the eardrum which is passed on to the ossicles (a set of three small bones that are situated within the middle portion of the ear). The vibration at the ossicles results in the motion of the fluid within the inner ear which in turn bends the tine hair cells and leads to the conversion of sound signals in the form of vibrations into nerve signals.
The differentiation among the variations in the incoming sound’s pitch and intensity is regulated mainly by the ear’s cochlea. When the incoming sound signal has a higher pitch there is higher vibration in the base region of the basilar membrane, whereas when the incoming sound signal has a lower pitch there is higher vibration in the tip region of the basilar membrane. The intensity of sound is differentiated by the difference in the rate at which the basilar membrane vibrates; high-intensity sound leads to vigorous vibration of the basilar membrane as compared to that of the low-intensity sound, as a result of this the intensity of nerve impulse also varies.