Professor Lee tells his class that hair cells will become hyperpolarized or depolarized depending on the activity of the _____ channels.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hair cells are sensory cells located in the inner ear that detect sound and head movement. They are mechanically sensitive and respond to physical stimuli such as sound waves and movements. When the stereocilia, which are tiny hair-like projections on the surface of hair cells, are deflected, they open mechanically gated potassium channels, which lead to depolarization. If the stereocilia are bent in the opposite direction, the channels close and hair cells become hyperpolarized. Therefore, the activity of mechanically gated potassium channels is responsible for the depolarization or hyperpolarization of hair cells.

Professor Lee Tells His Class That Hair Cells Will Become