Whether ion channels open or close within the hair cell cilia

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The opening and closing of ion channels within the hair cell cilia are linked to the tension exerted by the tip links on the insertional plaques. When the cilia move in response to sound vibrations, the tip links stretch and pull on the insertional plaques, leading to the opening of ion channels and the influx of positively charged ions. When the cilia return to their resting position, the tension on the tip links decreases, the ion channels close, and the membrane potential returns to its resting state. This process is known as mechanotransduction and is essential for the transduction of sound waves into electrical signals in the auditory system.

Whether Ion Channels Open or Close Within the Hair Cell