Researchers surgically fuse two of the three ossicles in the inner ear of a mouse, effectively leaving two functional, linked ossicles in place of three. When the mouse's hearing is tested, what outcome would be expected? The mouse would be ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ossicles of the inner ear, the malleus, incus, and stapes, work together to amplify and transmit sound vibrations to the cochlea. Surgical fusion of two of these ossicles would effectively reduce the mechanical processing of sound in the inner ear, leading to a decrease in sensitivity to sound in general. Therefore, the expected outcome would be that the mouse would be less sensitive to sound in general, making option D the correct answer.

Researchers Surgically Fuse Two of the Three Ossicles in the Inner