Concept explainers
To review:
The difference between the basilar membrane in the cochlea of a bat and the basilar membrane of a human ear.
Given:
The sound pulses that are made by the bats and moths have a frequency of around 50 kHz (kilohertz) or in other words, 50,000 cycles per second. The upper limit of sound frequency, which a human ear can detect, is around 20,000 Hz (hertz).
Introduction:
The basilar membrane, which is present in the cochlea (part of the inner ear), is a structure which separates two different tubes filled with liquid. These two fluid containing tubes are called scala tympani and scala media. The basilar membrane is lined with hair cells, which act active as auditory receptors, which are responsible for the detection of sound and thus are important for hearing.
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Life: The Science of Biology
- Figure 36.14 Cochlear implants can restore hearing in people who have a nonfunctional cochlea The implant consists of a microphone that picks up sound. A speech processor selects sounds in the range of human speech, and a transmitter converts these sounds to electrical impulses, which are then sent to the auditory nerve. Which of the following types of hearing loss would not be restored by a cochlear implant? Hearing loss resulting from absence or loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti. Hearing loss resulting from an abnormal auditory nerve. Hearing loss resulting from fracture of the cochlea. Hearing loss resulting from damage to bones of the middle ear.arrow_forwardOccupational Hearing Loss Frequent exposure to loud noise of a particular pitch can cause loss of hair cells in the part of the cochlea that responds to that pitch. People who work with or around noisy machinery are at risk for such frequency-specific hearing loss. Taking precautions such as using ear plugs to reduce sound exposure is important. Noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented, but once it occurs it is irreversible because dead or damaged hair cells are not replaced. FIGURE 33.24 shows the threshold decibel levels at which sounds of different frequencies can be detected by an average 25-year-old carpenter, a 50-year-old carpenter, and a 50-year-old who has not been exposed to on-the-job noise. Sound frequencies are given in hertz (cycles per second), The more cycles per second, the higher the pitch. FIGURE 33.24 Effects of age aria occupational noise exposure. The graph shows the threshold hearing capacities fin decibels) for sounds of different frequencies (given in hertz) in a 25-year-okj carpenter (blue). a 50-year-old carpenter (red), arid a 50-year-ofd who did not have any on-the-job noise exposure (brown). 1. Which sound frequency was most easily detected by all three people?arrow_forwardFor vertebrate photoreception, define: (a) photopigment; (b) photoreceptor; and (c) receptive field.arrow_forward
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- Cochlear implants are devices that can be used to restore hearing in some individuals. The implant stimulates the cochlearnerve through electrical impulses. Why are cochlear implants not ideal for all types of hearing loss?arrow_forwardWhat is the general function of the structure labeled A? Convert the incoming sound from pounds per square inch to decibels Protect the cochlea Provide information to the vestibular system Regulate change in the air pressure of the inner ear Transfer sound information from the tympanic membrane to the oval windowarrow_forwardAccording to place theory particular frequencies of sound waves are encoded at specific locations along the basilar membrane of the cochlea. 1. A or B: Where on the basilar membrane of the cochlea does a wave of low frequency peak (for example, 400 Hz)? a. base of cochlea or b. apex of cochlea 2. A or B: Where on the basilar membrane of the cochlea does a wave of high frequency peak (for example, 2000 Hz)? a. base of cochlea or b. apex of cochlea In 1 Sentence, what if a 400 Hz tone and a 2000 Hz tone are presented at exactly the same time? Briefly describe the wave in the cochlea in relation to your answers to questions 1 and 2.arrow_forward
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