The function of the eardrum in the middle ear is to
a. collect the sound waves.
b. vibrate with the frequency of the received sound.
c. amplify the received sound.
d. carry the sound energy to the brain.

I believe the correct answer is B. Vibrate with the frequency of the received sound.

The ear is divided into 3 sections: The outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear is funnel shaped leading into the head to collect sound waves and concentrate it to the middle ear. The middle ear contains the eardrum (tympanic membrane) which vibrates in response to the sound waves.

The middle ear contains the eardrum(tympanic membrane) which is a special type of membrane that is thin and taught to vibrate to the slightest sound waves. When the sound waves cause the vibration of the tympanic membrane depending on different frequencies, it will cause the 3 bones attached to it ( malleus, incus and stapes) to vibrate at the frequency the membrane vibrated. This motion will cause the round window of the inner ear to vibrate at the same frequency. The round window is connected to a structure called the organ of corti that contains many very sensitive hair cells. The inner ear is filled with fluid including the organ of corti. The vibration of the inner ear is transmitted into this fluid and the back nd forth motion of the fluid will cause vibrations on the hair cells in the base of the organ of corti. These cells are specially adapted and transmit the vibrations as electrical signals to the sensory neurons attached to them. These neurons then will carry the converted sound energy to the brain via major cranial nerves where the brain will interpret these signals as sound waves. Interpretation is continuous and very fast and that is why a person can hear things simultaneously. These hair cells are the ones that get destroyed when listening to loud music making a person go deaf. Bomb blasts and gunfire sound also tear the tympanic membrane and the destroy the sensory cells and this is why many war veterans have hearing problems.

Level: High School

Subject: Biology

Topic: Movement and Coordination

The function of the eardrum in the middle ear is to vibrate with the frequency of the received sound.

Further Explanation:

Ear is the sensory organ of many organisms which performs the function of hearing.

Structurally it can be divided into three basic parts:

1. Outer ear

2. Middle ear

3. Inner ear

Outer ear consist of pinna and ear canal. Pinna is made up of tough cartilage which is covered by skin. The main function of the pinna is to gather sounds and to move them to the ear canal. Eardrum serves as the pathway that leads to the middle ear.

Middle ear consists of eardrum that separates them from the outer ear. When sound waves hits the eardrum, it vibrates with the frequency of the received sound.

The inner ear changes the vibrations coming from the middle ear to the nerve signals. The inner ear consist of cochlear and semicircular canal.

The cochlea changes the vibrational signal into nerve signals that travels to the brain through the auditory nerve. The function of semicircular canal is to maintain the body balance.

Learn more:

1. Learn more about ear

2. Learn more about hormones

3. Learn more about vessels

Answer Details:

Grade: Middle school

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Sensory organs

Keywords:

Sensory organ, ear drum, outer ear, inner ear, middle ear, ear canal, pinna, nerve signal, cochlea, semicircular canal, brain, ear, auditory nerve.

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