Question

Which statement about the ear is TRUE?

Group of answer choices
A. The stapes is attached to the tympanic membrane and vibrates immediately after the tympanic membrane vibrates
B. The sense of hearing is transmitted via cranial nerve 2
C. The cochlear duct is filled with air
D. Vibrations of the basilar membrane bend hair cells within the Organ of Corti, causing them to depolarize

Answer 1

The vibrations of the basilar membrane cause hair cells within the Organ of Corti to depolarize.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about the ear is D. Vibrations of the basilar membrane bend hair cells within the Organ of Corti, causing them to depolarize.

When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate.

These vibrations are then transmitted through the middle ear bones to the oval window, which sets the fluid inside the cochlea in motion.

The movement of the fluid causes the basilar membrane to flex, which bends the hair cells in the Organ of Corti.

This bending of the hair cells stimulates them to depolarize, resulting in the transmission of auditory neural signals to the brain.