Question

when the victor frankenstein was making his monster, he forgot to include the ________, an important structure of the ear needed to change sound waves into signals the brain can process and interpret.
a. eardrum
b. auditory nerve
c. cochlea
d. pinna

please select the best answer from the choices provided
a
b
c
d

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks for the specific structure of the ear responsible for changing sound waves into neural signals that the brain can process and interpret. This biological process of converting physical energy (sound waves) into electrical neural impulses is known as auditory transduction.

Evaluate the functions of each option

• A. eardrum (tympanic membrane): This structure vibrates in response to sound waves, transmitting these mechanical vibrations to the middle ear ossicles. It does not perform transduction.
• B. auditory nerve: This nerve carries the already converted electrical signals from the inner ear to the brain. It does not perform the transduction itself.
• C. cochlea: This fluid-filled, spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear contains the organ of Corti. Hair cells inside the cochlea bend in response to fluid vibrations, which triggers neural impulses. This is where transduction occurs.
• D. pinna: This is the visible outer part of the ear that channels sound waves into the ear canal.

Determine the correct choice

Since the cochlea is the key structure where sound waves are transduced into neural signals, option C is the correct answer.

Answer:

• (A) eardrum
• (B) auditory nerve
• (C) cochlea (Correct answer)
• (D) pinna