Bats are able to hear frequencies of 100,000 cycles per second. The maximum firing rate of action potentials is a few hundred per second. How is this possible?
A)Action potentials are not used to transmit auditory information. The output of the sensory neuron to the brain is a graded potential.
B)The auditory system is special. Its neurons conduct signals very quickly and have no refractory period.
C)Sound wave frequency information is coded by differences in the location of vibrations along the basilar membrane, not in action potential frequency.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sound wave frequency information is coded by differences in the location of vibrations along the basilar membrane, not in action potential frequency. Therefore, the ability to hear high frequencies in bats is due to the organization of their ear structures and the tuning of their basilar membrane, rather than their neurons' firing rates.

Bats Are Able to Hear Frequencies of 100,000 Cycles Per