PS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Vestibular System, Olfactory Epithelium, Basilar Membrane
Document Summary
Review: vision & hearing: light waves, amplitude = brightness, length = hue, sound waves, amplitude = loudness, frequency = pitch. Loudness: use firing rate & type of receptor cell, high amplitude waves cause greater release of neurotransmitter, results in higher firing rate of neuron, certain neurons fire only to specific amplitudes. Our current understanding: both the theories have flaws and both have some merit, blend of the two is accepted now. Sound location: binaural hearing (2 ears) helps localize sound, timing of sounds, sounds arrive at closest ear first, use differences in arrival time. Intensity of sounds: sound of arriving at closest ear will be more intense, use differences in intensities. Involves mechanical system of hearing: e. g. , punctured eardrum, loss of function of bones of middle ear, nerve deafness. Involves damaged receptors: exposure to loud sounds can damage hair cells.
