Describe pitch and loudness and how these are properties of sound are processed by the cochlea.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Pitch is a function of the frequency of sound waves, measured in waves per second (hertz). High frequency waves are interpreted as high-pitched sounds. Loudness is the perception of sound intensity and varies within each individual. The intensity is a function of wave amplitude, measured on a logarithmic scale (units are decibels). The perception of sound frequency is related to the specific hair cell along the basilar membrane that is stimulated: high frequency vibrates the membrane (and thereby hair cells) near the oval window whereas low frequency vibrates hair cell towards the helicotrema. The intensity of sound is communicated by the frequency of action potential that are generated in the cochlear nerve cell (Primary sensory neuron) by the extent of release of neurotransmitter from the hair cell: the more the hair cell depolarizes, the greater the release of neurotransmitter and thereby greater depolarization of the cochlear nerve resulting in a greater frequency of action potentials.