Question

The basilar membrane 

A. Is broader at the base of the cochlea than at the apex.

B. Vibrations stimulate receptors to generate impulses at the frequencies of the applied sounds. 

C. At the base of the cochlea vibrates only to incoming high frequency sounds. 

D. In the apical region vibrates only to incoming sounds of low frequency. 

E. Can be made to vibrate by pressure waves travelling through skull bone.

Answer 1

A. False The reverse is true. 

B. False Nerves cannot transmit impulses at the top frequencies detectable by ear, about 20 000 Hz. 

C. False At the base, the basilar membrane vibrates to high and low frequency sound waves. 

D. True High frequency sounds are damped out before they reach the apex. 

E. True This supplements the normal ossicular conduction, especially for loud sounds.