Question 1

A hearing aid cannot help a person with nerve deafness, a form of deafness that results from damage to the hair cells in the basilar membrane or to the auditory nerve.

Accepted Answer

Nerve deafness is caused by damage to the hair cells or auditory nerve, which cannot be corrected by a hearing aid.

Question 2

The pinna of the ear helps to pinpoint the location of a sound.

Accepted Answer

The pinna, also known as the outer ear, is responsible for capturing sound waves and directing them into the ear canal. The unique shape of the pinna helps to amplify certain frequencies and filter out others, allowing us to distinguish between different sounds. By analyzing the subtle differences in sound waves that reach each ear, the brain can pinpoint the location of a sound with remarkable accuracy.

Question 3

Conduction deafness, which is caused by exposure to loud noises, cannot be helped with a hearing aid.

Accepted Answer

Conduction deafness is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear, and hearing aids can often help by amplifying sound. Exposure to loud noises typically causes sensorineural hearing loss, which may not be as effectively treated with hearing aids.

Question 4

Every human voice has its own distinctive timbre.

Accepted Answer

True. Timbre refers to the unique tone quality of a sound or voice, which is determined by the characteristics of the sound wave produced. These characteristics include factors such as the shape of the vocal tract, the position of the tongue and lips, and the strength and timing of muscle movements involved in speaking. As a result, every person's voice has a unique timbre that distinguishes them from others.

Question 5

According to the opponent-process theory, color vision is the product of opposing pairs of color receptors-red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white, and when one member of a color pair is stimulated, the other member is inhibited.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the opponent-process theory of color vision.

Question 6

The trichromatic theory of color vision states that, in addition to black and white, there are four basic colors, which are divided into two pairs of color-sensitive neurons: red-green and blue-yellow.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory of color vision states that there are three types of color receptors (cones) in the eye, each sensitive to red, green, or blue light. The opponent-process theory, not the trichromatic theory, involves pairs of color-sensitive neurons such as red-green and blue-yellow.

Question 7

The loudness of a sound corresponds to the frequency of the sound wave; the higher the frequency, the louder the sound.

Accepted Answer

The loudness of a sound corresponds to the amplitude of the sound wave, not the frequency. The frequency of a sound wave determines its pitch.

Question 8

The perception of sound is directly related to the characteristics of the sound wave.

Accepted Answer

The characteristics of a sound wave, such as frequency and amplitude, determine how we perceive the sound. Higher frequency sounds are perceived as higher pitched, while higher amplitude sounds are perceived as louder. Therefore, the perception of sound is directly related to the characteristics of the sound wave.

Question 9

The trichromatic theory provides the best explanation for red-green color blindness.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory states that there are three types of photoreceptor cells in the eyes that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, and that these colors can be sensed by the brain through their combination. Red-green color blindness occurs when one or both of the photoreceptor cells that are most sensitive to either red or green light are missing or not functioning properly, supporting the trichromatic theory.

Question 10

A hearing aid that amplifies the frequency of sound waves can help people who suffer from nerve deafness, which is caused by exposure to loud noises.

Accepted Answer

Hearing aids are generally not effective for nerve deafness (sensorineural hearing loss) because this type of hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, not just a lack of sound amplification.

Question 11

The vast majority of people who are color-blind are unable to distinguish red from yellow or blue.

Accepted Answer

The most common type of color blindness, called red-green color blindness, makes it difficult for individuals to distinguish between shades of red and green. They can usually still distinguish between yellow and blue.

Question 12

The red color of a table is due to the fact that the table absorbs the wavelength of light that corresponds to the red portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Accepted Answer

The red color of a table is due to the fact that it reflects the wavelength of light that corresponds to the red portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, not absorbs it.

Question 13

Color involves three properties of the light wave: hue, saturation, and brightness.

Accepted Answer

Hue refers to the specific color of the light wave (e.g. red, blue, green), saturation refers to the intensity or purity of the color, and brightness refers to the amount of light present. Together, these properties determine the overall appearance of a color.

Question 14

Sensory receptors for sound called hair cells are embedded in the basilar membrane of the inner ear.

Accepted Answer

Hair cells are indeed sensory receptors for sound and they are located in the basilar membrane of the inner ear.

Question 15

According to the trichromatic theory, color vision is the product of opposing pairs of color receptors-red-green, blue-yellow, and black-white, and when one member of a color pair is stimulated, the other member is inhibited.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory explains color vision based on three types of cones sensitive to red, green, and blue light, not opposing pairs. The opponent-process theory involves opposing pairs.

Question 16

The trichromatic theory best explains color vision at the receptor level, and the opponent-process theory best explains color vision in the thalamus and the visual cortex.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory, also known as the young-Helmholtz theory, suggests that we have cone receptors in our eyes that are sensitive to red, green, and blue light. The opponent-process theory, on the other hand, suggests that color vision is based on three pairs of opponent colors: red-green, yellow-blue, and black-white. Therefore, both theories are complementary and explain different aspects of color vision.

Question 17

Tiny bones in the outer ear, called the anvil, hammer, and stirrup, transmit vibrations to the eardrum, which in turn funnels sound waves to the cochlea in the middle ear.

Accepted Answer

The anvil, hammer, and stirrup are tiny bones in the middle ear, not the outer ear, and they transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea, which is also in the inner ear, not the middle ear.

Question 18

Because the opponent-process theory of color vision correctly explains all aspects of color vision, the trichromatic theory of color vision is no longer considered to be valid.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory of color vision is still considered valid and is supported by evidence. However, it is now understood that it is not the only explanation for color vision and that opponent-processing mechanisms also play a role. Both theories are used to explain different aspects of color perception.

Question 19

The trichromatic theory provides the best explanation for the most common form of color blindness.

Accepted Answer

The trichromatic theory, also known as the Young-Helmholtz theory, states that color vision is based on the response of three types of cones in the eyes. The most common form of color blindness, known as red-green color blindness, occurs when one or more of these cone types are dysfunctional or missing, supporting the trichromatic theory.

Question 20

The opponent-process theory of color vision helps explain afterimages.

Accepted Answer

According to the opponent-process theory, when one color is viewed for a long period of time, the opposite color will appear when that color is removed from view, creating an afterimage. This theory helps to explain why afterimages are often seen in complementary colors.

Quiz 3: Sensation and Perception