When the stereocilia are displaced toward the outer part of the cochlea, the hair cells become __________________ which __________________.
A) hyperpolarized; inhibits the firing of the afferent bipolar cells
B) hyperpolarized; excites the afferent bipolar cells
C) depolarized; inhibits the firing of the afferent bipolar cells
D) depolarized; excites the afferent bipolar cells

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the stereocilia are displaced toward the outer part of the cochlea, the hair cells become depolarized which excites the afferent bipolar cells. This causes the hair cells to release neurotransmitters at their synapses with the bipolar cells, leading to the generation of action potentials and the transmission of auditory information to the brain.

When the Stereocilia Are Displaced Toward the Outer Part of the Cochlea