12.3 The Ear

Question 1

Mechanoreceptors

Answer 1

Detect physical/chemical forces (hair cells in the ear) (outer ear)

Question 2

Auditory canal

Answer 2

Contains hair and ear wax to protect the ear, prevents entry of foreign material. (Outer ear)

Question 3

Tympanic membrane / eardrum

Answer 3

Covers end of auditory canal, converts sound waves to mechanical vibrations-> passes vibrations to 3 ossicles. (middle ear)

Question 4

Ossicles (3 types)

Answer 4

Ossicles amplify vibrations as the travel between the 3. Hammer, anvil, stirrup. (Middle ear)

Question 5

Eustachian tube

Answer 5

Allows pressure to equalize beteeen middle ear and the outside of body. -> connects middle ear to back of the throat (middle ear)

Question 6

Oval window

Answer 6

3rd ossicle passes vibrations to oval window (middle ear) passes vibes to middle ear to inner ear

Question 7

Semi circular canals

Answer 7

Contains sensors for balance (inner ear)

Question 8

Cochlea

Answer 8

Used for hearing, sound waves convert to nerve impulses to the brain (inner ear)

Question 9

Organ of corti

Answer 9

located in the cochlea. Where mechanoreceptors (hair cells) are located (inner ear)

Question 10

Hair cells

Answer 10

Contains stereocillia to detect sound waves -> as soundwaves travel through cochlea, stereocillia bend, converting nerve impulse to the brain (inner ear)

Question 11

Auditory nerve

Answer 11

Takes nerve impulse out of cochlea, first goes to the thalamus then to temporal lobe

Question 12

Pathway of sound

Answer 12

Auricles / pinna -> auditory canal-> tympathetic membrane -> ossicles -> oval window -> cochlea -> organ of corti -> hair cells

Question 13

Auricle / pinna

Answer 13

Skin and cartilage collect and funnel sound waves into the ear