A greater bending of the stereocilia will increase the frequency of action potentials and will be perceived as a louder sound.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the stereocilia in the inner ear bend, it opens channels for ions to enter the hair cells, resulting in depolarization and the generation of action potentials. The rate of action potentials fired by the hair cells is directly related to the frequency of sound waves, with higher frequencies leading to more rapid firing. Therefore, a greater bending of the stereocilia, caused by a louder sound, will result in more action potentials being generated and a higher perceived loudness of the sound.

A Greater Bending of the Stereocilia Will Increase the Frequency