Textbook Question
Auditory information about the frequency and intensity of stimulation is relayed to the CNS over the cochlear nerve, a division of cranial nerve
(a) IV
(b) VI
(c) VIII
(d) X
Ch. 17 The Special Senses
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology25
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Level of Organization34
- Ch. 3 The Cellular Level of Organization29
- Ch. 4 The Tissue Level of Organization24
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System17
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Structure33
- 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 Senses15
- Ch. 18 The Endocrine System21
- Ch. 19 Blood31
- Ch. 20 The Heart31
- Ch. 21 Blood Vessels and Circulation26
- Ch. 22 The Lymphatic System and Immunity25
- Ch. 23 The Respiratory System4
- Ch. 24 The Digestive System18
- Ch. 26 The Urinary System31
- Ch. 27 Fluids & Electrolytes30
- Ch. 28 The Reproductive System12
- Ch. 29 Development and Inheritance17
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011Not 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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Damage to the ampullary cupula of the lateral semicircular duct would interfere with the perception of
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(c) Horizontal rotation of the head
(d) Vertical rotation of the head
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