Brittany played a middle C note on the piano, which corresponds to about 261 Hz. It is likely that this tone will
A) be processed according to place theory.
B) be processed according to temporal theory.
C) produce a peak response at the base of the basilar membrane.
D) produce nausea, because it is infrasound.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Middle C, which corresponds to 261 Hz, falls within the range of frequencies that are best processed according to temporal theory. This theory suggests that the brain detects pitch based on the frequency of neural impulses that are firing in synchrony with the sound wave. For frequencies between 100-4000 Hz, such as middle C, this theory is most effective. Place theory is better suited for high frequencies, and low frequencies are processed by a combination of both place and temporal theories. The idea that the tone would produce nausea due to being infrasound (sound below the range of human hearing, typically below 20 Hz) is not applicable in this case. Finally, the notion that the tone would produce a peak response at the base of the basilar membrane is not accurate, as middle C would produce a peak response near the middle of the basilar membrane.

Brittany Played a Middle C Note on the Piano, Which