How Might Different Frequencies Be Encoded by Auditory Neurons

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Auditory neurons encode different frequencies through a process called tonotopic organization. This means that different frequencies are processed by different neurons in the auditory pathway.

When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted through the middle ear to the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear. The cochlea is filled with fluid and lined with thousands of tiny hair cells that are sensitive to different frequencies.

As the fluid in the cochlea vibrates, it causes specific hair cells to bend and send electrical signals to the auditory nerve. The auditory nerve then transmits these signals to the brain, where they are interpreted as different frequencies.

The location of the hair cells that are activated corresponds to the frequency of the sound. Lower frequencies are encoded by hair cells at the apex (or tip) of the cochlea, while higher frequencies are encoded by hair cells closer to the base. This tonotopic organization allows the brain to distinguish between different frequencies and perceive them as distinct sounds.

How Might Different Frequencies Be Encoded by Auditory Neurons

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