The hair cells in the cupula detect movements of the head by ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hair cells in the cupula detect movements of the head by responding to displacements in different directions with either depolarizations or hyperpolarizations, and this detection mechanism is sensitive to accelerations. When the head moves, the fluid in the inner ear moves the cupula, which in turn bends the hair cells in one direction or the other. This bending causes either depolarization or hyperpolarization of the hair cells, depending on the direction of the bend, indicating the direction of acceleration.

The Hair Cells in the Cupula Detect Movements of the Head