Textbook Question
The spiral organ sits on the ________ membrane, and the stereocilia of the outer hair cells contact the _____ membrane.
1
views
Ch. 15 The Special Senses
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch. 1 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology24
- Ch. 2 The Chemistry of Life37
- Ch. 3 The Cell54
- Ch. 4 Histology46
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System30
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Tissue36
- Ch. 7 The Skeletal System40
- Ch. 8 Articulations19
- Ch. 9 The Muscular System35
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue and Physiology29
- Ch. 11 Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue28
- Ch. 12 The Central Nervous System41
- Ch. 13 The Peripheral Nervous System41
- Ch. 14 The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis31
- Ch. 15 The Special Senses39
- Ch. 16 The Endocrine System42
- Ch. 17 The Cardiovascular System I: The Heart28
- Ch. 18 The Cardiovascular System II: The Blood Vessels43
- Ch. 19 Blood32
- Ch. 20 The Lymphatic System and Immunity41
- Ch. 21 The Respiratory System27
- Ch. 22 The Digestive System27
- Ch. 23 Metabolism and Nutrition7
- Ch. 24 The Urinary System39
- Ch. 25 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis39
- Ch. 26 The Reproductive System10
- Ch. 27 Development and Heredity5
Amerman3rd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780138247201, 9780138247928, 9780138201814Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 15
How do the hair cells of the crista ampullaris detect rotation of the head?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the anatomy of the crista ampullaris: The crista ampullaris is located within the ampulla of each semicircular canal in the inner ear. It contains hair cells embedded in a gelatinous structure called the cupula.
Learn about the role of the semicircular canals: The semicircular canals are filled with endolymph, a fluid that moves in response to head rotation. Each canal is oriented in a different plane to detect rotational movements in three dimensions.
Explore the mechanism of detection: When the head rotates, the inertia of the endolymph causes it to lag behind the movement of the canal. This relative motion pushes against the cupula, bending the hair cells within the crista ampullaris.
Understand how hair cells respond: The bending of the hair cells causes their stereocilia to deflect. Depending on the direction of deflection, ion channels in the hair cells open or close, altering the release of neurotransmitters to the associated sensory neurons.
Connect to the brain's interpretation: The sensory neurons transmit signals to the brain via the vestibular nerve. The brain interprets these signals to perceive the direction and speed of head rotation, allowing for balance and spatial orientation.
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.
Crista Ampullaris
The crista ampullaris is a sensory structure located within the semicircular canals of the inner ear. It contains hair cells that are crucial for detecting angular motion or rotation of the head. When the head rotates, the endolymph fluid within the canals moves, causing the hair cells to bend and generate nerve impulses that inform the brain about the direction and speed of the rotation.
Recommended video:
03:49
Chloroplast Structure
Hair Cells
Hair cells are specialized sensory cells found in the inner ear that play a vital role in the auditory and vestibular systems. They have hair-like projections called stereocilia that respond to mechanical stimuli. In the context of the crista ampullaris, the bending of these stereocilia due to fluid movement leads to the depolarization of the hair cells, which then transmit signals to the brain regarding head movement.
Recommended video:
07:02Other Epidermal Cells
Vestibular System
The vestibular system is a complex structure in the inner ear responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. It includes the semicircular canals, otolith organs, and associated neural pathways. The information gathered from the crista ampullaris and other components of the vestibular system is integrated by the brain to help coordinate movements and maintain equilibrium during head rotations and other activities.
Recommended video:
4:25Complement System
Related Practice
Textbook Question
The macula in the utricle detects:
a. Rotation of the head to the right
b. Very low-frequency sound waves that we can feel but not hear
c. Tilting of the head to one side
d. Linear acceleration of the head in a vertical plane
2
views
Textbook Question
Mark True or false
Hair cells in the spiral organ will depolarize or hyperpolarize, depending on the direction in which the stereocilia are bent.
1
views
Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The spiral organ is located in the scala tympani.
1
views
Textbook Question
Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The semicircular ducts are connected to the utricle, and the cochlear duct is continuous with the saccule.
1
views
Textbook Question
Explain how sounds of different frequencies are detected in the cochlea.
1
views