BIO 012 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Tectorial Membrane, Oval Window, Basilar Membrane
Document Summary
This is the detection of waves of sound in the air and the transduction of these waves into physical vibrations and liquid waves within the ear (this is for air-borne waves) In some cases, waves may be substrate-born (come from the earth). This type of hearing is known in insects. Audition hair cells: the mechanoreceptor sensory receptors that are ultimately responsible for the transduction of sound. Step 1: an airborne wave must reach the pinna, or outer ear. This cups the sound into a smaller space and allows it to travel down to the auditory canal. Step 2: the airborne wave reaches the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, and causes it to vibrate. This is the rst time the sound becomes a physical force. Step 3: the vibrations of the tympanic membrane force the ossicles, three tiny bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes to vibrate as well. The vibrations become more concentrated to these smaller bones and thus more forceful.
