Question

Which of the following is the true sensory receptor of sound?

• A. Pinna
• B. Oval Window
• C. Hair Cells
• D. Tympanic Membrane

Hint:

Accessory auditory structures (Pinna, Tympanic Membrane, Oval Window, Ossicles) only vibrate or guide sound. Actual sensory transduction is performed strictly by the Hair Cells.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks us to identify the specific physiological structure that acts as the primary sensory receptor cell for hearing.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• The auditory pathway consists of accessory structures that conduct sound vibrations, and sensory receptor cells that convert those vibrations into neural signals.

• Hair cells, located on the basilar membrane within the organ of Corti inside the cochlea, are the true sensory receptors of sound.

• When sound waves cause fluid movement inside the cochlea, the hair cells' stereocilia bend, opening mechanosensitive ion channels to initiate depolarization.

• The pinna is the external cartilaginous ear structure that simply collects and funnels acoustic waves into the auditory canal.

• The oval window is a membrane-covered opening that transmits mechanical vibrations from the ossicles (middle ear bones) into the fluid of the inner ear.

• The tympanic membrane (eardrum) is a thin membrane that vibrates in response to air-conducted sound waves, initiating mechanical conduction.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The true sensory receptor cells of sound that perform auditory transduction are the Hair Cells.