Problem 4 - Biology: The Dynamic Science

Question

Structures are activated by sound waves in the vertebrate ear in the following order: a. oval window, tympanum, semicircular canals, Golgi tendon organ, incus, malleus, stapes. b. organ of Corti, malleus, incus, stapes, auditory nerve, eardrum. c. eustachian tube, round window, vestibular canal, tympanic canal, cochlear canal, oval window, pinna. d. basilar membrane, tectorial membrane, otoliths, utricle, saccule, malleus, cochlea. e. pinna, tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes, oval window, cochlear duct.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The correct sequence is e. pinna, tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes, oval window, cochlear duct.

Step 1: Understand the order of sound transmission

Sound waves are transmitted in the ear in a particular order: They enter the ear through the pinna, hit the tympanic membrane (eardrum), and then they cause the auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) to vibrate. The movement of stapes is transferred to the oval window, which is the entrance of the cochlea. Inside the cochlea, particularly in the cochlear duct, the sound waves are converted into electrical signals.

Step 2: Check each option

Now knowing the order, this order will be matched with the options given. The search is for the sequence that matches with: Pinna -> Tympanic membrane -> Malleus -> Incus -> Stapes -> Oval Window -> Cochlear duct.

Step 3: Select the correct sequence

Matching the known sequence with the options given, the sequence that has the correct order is: 'e. pinna, tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes, oval window, cochlear duct'