HHMI Cochlea animation (scroll to the very bottom of the list)
- in response to a simple sinusoidal stimulus, the basilar membrane resonates in a "travelling wave" that gradually grows in amplitude as it moves along the cochlear duct: away from the stapes (base), toward the helicotrema (apex)
- same direction of travel is observed if the sound is introduced into the apex of the cochlea instead of the base
- THE ENTIRE BASILAR MEMBRANE DOESN'T VIBRATE IN RESPONSE TO EVERY FREQUENCY OF A PARTICULAR SOUND!
- for a pariticular frequency, basilar membrane vibration reaches a peak amplitude at a specific point that is determined by the resonant properties (acoustic impedance) of the basilar membrane at each point
- both passive (structural) and active (energy requiring) processes establish the location of the peak vibration
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