PSYC 212 Lecture 14: Lecture 14
6 Nov 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Air molecules are very dispersed, so compression is necessary for sound to travel. Water molecules are more tightly packed so you don"t need compression for the volume to move. The sound is transformed into movement in the fluid causing the basilar membrane to vibrate. Basilar membrane will move back and forth, moving the inner hair cells. When the hair cells move back and forth they generate action potentials. Tip links open and potassium enters the cell. Action potential causes neurotransmitters to be released and makes contact with the afferent nerve. Characteristic frequency (cf): auditory nerve (an) fibers are relatively selective for a given frequency. Frequency is encoded by different places on the cochlea. The liquid will move differently according to its frequency. Low frequency will move all the way to the tip. High frequency will stop at the entrance of the cochlea and only move the basilar membrane at the base of the cochlea.
