What is the inner ear?
Q: What is the inner ear?
A: The inner ear is the innermost part of the vertebrate ear, responsible for sound detection and balance.
Q: What are the two main working parts of the inner ear in mammals?
A: The two main working parts of the inner ear in mammals are the cochlea and the balance system.
Q: What is the cochlea?
A: The cochlea is a part of the inner ear that is dedicated to hearing, converting sound pressure patterns from the outer ear into electrochemical impulses which are passed on to the brain via the auditory nerve.
Q: What is the balance system?
A: The balance system is a part of the inner ear consisting of three semi-circular canals, set at right angles to each other.
Q: In what types of animals is the inner ear found?
A: The inner ear is found in all vertebrates, with variations in form and function.
Q: What nerve is responsible for supplying the inner ear in all vertebrates?
A: The eighth cranial nerve is responsible for supplying the inner ear in all vertebrates.
Q: How does the cochlea convert sound pressure patterns into electrochemical impulses?
A: The cochlea contains tiny hair cells that are moved by the sound pressure waves. This movement triggers the release of chemicals that generate electrical signals, which are then carried by the auditory nerve to the brain.
