Question 1

Which structure in the external ear is primarily responsible for directing sound waves into the ear canal?

Accepted Answer

Pinna

Question 2

What is the correct sequence of structures that a sound wave passes through from the external environment to the cochlea?

Accepted Answer

Pinna → Ear canal → Tympanic membrane → Malleus → Incus → Stapes → Oval window → Cochlea

Question 3

Which fluid fills the cochlear duct and is most similar to intracellular fluid?

Accepted Answer

Endolymph

Question 4

The frequency of a sound wave is interpreted by the CNS as:

Accepted Answer

Pitch

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the function of the stapes in the middle ear?

Accepted Answer

It transmits mechanical vibrations from the incus to the oval window.

Question 6

If a sound wave has a frequency of $$3\ \mathrm{Hz}$$ and another has $$1\ \mathrm{Hz}$$, which will be perceived as having a higher pitch?

Accepted Answer

The $$3\ \mathrm{Hz}$$ sound wave

Question 7

Which part of the cochlea contains the hair cell receptors responsible for hearing?

Accepted Answer

Organ of Corti

Question 8

What is the primary effect of bending the stereocilia of hair cells toward the tallest stereocilium?

Accepted Answer

Increased neurotransmitter release

Question 9

Which equation correctly relates the intensity (I) of a sound wave to its amplitude (A)?

Accepted Answer

$$I \propto A^2$

Question 10

A patient has damage to the round window of the ear. Which of the following is most likely to be affected?

Accepted Answer

Release of pressure from fluid waves in the cochlea

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the role of the basilar membrane in hearing?

Accepted Answer

It vibrates in response to fluid waves, causing movement of hair cells.

Question 12

If the amplitude of a sound wave doubles, how does its loudness (in decibels) change? Use the formula $$L = 10 \cdot \log_{10}\left(\frac{I}{I_0$}\right)$$, where $$I is $$intensity and $$I_0 is $$the reference intensity.

Accepted Answer

Loudness increases by 3 dB

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a function of the vestibular apparatus?

Accepted Answer

Transducing sound waves into electrical signals

Question 14

What is the main difference between perilymph and endolymph in the cochlea?

Accepted Answer

Perilymph is similar to plasma, endolymph is similar to intracellular fluid

Question 15

Which of the following steps occurs LAST in the process of hearing?

Accepted Answer

Electrical signals travel to the brain via the cochlear nerve

Question 16

A person is exposed to a sound with a frequency of $$20,000\ \mathrm{Hz}. $$Which part of the cochlea is most likely to be activated?

Accepted Answer

The base of the cochlea

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why damage to the hair cells in the Organ of Corti can result in permanent hearing loss?

Accepted Answer

Hair cells do not regenerate in mammals

Question 18

Which structure separates the external ear from the middle ear?

Accepted Answer

Tympanic membrane

Question 19

If the stereocilia of a hair cell bend away from the tallest stereocilium, what is the expected effect on the membrane potential?

Accepted Answer

Hyperpolarization

Question 20

Which of the following is the correct order of signal transduction steps from a sound wave to an electrical signal in the auditory pathway?

Accepted Answer

Sound wave → Mechanical vibration → Fluid wave → Chemical signal → Electrical signal

Hearing: Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear and Signal Transduction

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