When Isabel visited the children's zoo, she heard squeals coming from the baby pigs and loud grunts from the adult pigs. The _____ theory of hearing explains her perception of the high-pitched squeals, and the _____ theory of hearing explains her perception of the low-pitched grunts.
A) place; frequency
B) frequency; place
C) opponent process; trichromatic
D) trichromatic; opponent process

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The place theory of hearing explains perception of high-pitched sounds by suggesting that different frequencies stimulate different areas of the basilar membrane in the inner ear. The frequency theory of hearing explains perception of low-pitched sounds by suggesting that the rate at which neurons fire in response to a sound wave matches the frequency of the wave itself. Therefore, choice A correctly identifies the two theories that could explain Isabel's perception of the different pig sounds at the zoo.

When Isabel Visited the Children's Zoo, She Heard Squeals Coming