By what means do we perceive the pitch of a high-frequency sound (such as 4000 Hz)?
A)The number of hair cells responding is proportional to the sound frequency.
B)The sound wave excites a particular location on the basilar membrane.
C)Each hair cell produces an impulse for each sound wave.
D)Each sound wave excites a group, or volley, of hair cells.

Question

By what means do we perceive the pitch of a high-frequency sound (such as 4000 Hz)?​
A)The number of hair cells responding is proportional to the sound frequency.
B)​The sound wave excites a particular location on the basilar membrane.
C)​Each hair cell produces an impulse for each sound wave.
D)​Each sound wave excites a group, or volley, of hair cells.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sound wave excites a particular location on the basilar membrane, which activates sensory hair cells, triggering action potentials that propagate to the brain, allowing us to perceive the pitch of a high-frequency sound. Different frequencies excite different locations on the basilar membrane, allowing for tonotopic organization of sound perception.

By What Means Do We Perceive the Pitch of a High-Frequency