Detection of the Frequency of a Sound Above 5 KHz

Question

Detection of the frequency of a sound above 5 kHz is based on:
A)The number of fibers discharging in cranial nerve VIII.
B)The phase difference between the sound waves at the two ears.
C)The direction of deflection of the hair cell cilia.
D)The location along the cochlea of the most intensely stimulated hair cells.
E)The frequency of action potentials in cranial nerve VIII.

Accepted Answer

The cochlea is arranged tonotopically, meaning that hair cells at different locations along the cochlea are maximally stimulated by different frequencies of sound. Therefore, the location along the cochlea of the most intensely stimulated hair cells can determine the frequency of the sound. Frequencies above 5 kHz stimulate hair cells located at the basal end of the cochlea, while lower frequencies stimulate hair cells located more apically.