Chapter 41, Problem 5TYK

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Terrestrial organisms have well established auditory structures that allow the sound vibrations to pass through the auditory canal and reach the sensory hair cells. The hair cells are also called stereocilia that bend in response to sound waves and generate action potential due to opening of potassium ion channels. The potassium ion channels repolarize the neuron membrane and carry the signals along the auditory neurons to the auditory cortex of the brain. Several structures are present in vertebrate ear that help in sound transmission and detection. The human ear represents all the mammalian auditory structures.