- What happens after the oval window in the ear passes vibrations to the cochlea?
- Which parts of the ear sense changes in the body’s position?
- What are the five tastes sensed by neurons on the tongue?
- Why does death of hair cells in the cochlea cause hearing loss?
- Explain the statement, “You listen with your ears, but you hear with your brain.”
- How and why do reflex arcs occur?
- Why is your sense of taste affected when you have a stuffy nose?
- How could the ability to feel pain help prevent serious injury? Give an example.
Vocabulary
anvil Second of three tiny bones that pass vibrations through the ear.
auditory nerve Nerve that carries nerve impulses generated by sound waves from the ear
to the brain.
cochlea Liquid-filled structure in the ear that senses vibrations and generates nerve im-
pulses in response.
ear Sense organ that detects sound.
ear canal Tube-shaped opening in the ear that carries sound waves to the eardrum.
eardrum Membrane in the ear that vibrates when sound waves hit it.
hammer First of three tiny bones that pass vibrations through the ear.
hearing Ability to sense sound.
oval window Membrane in the ear that passes vibrations from the stirrup to the cochlea.
pinna Outer part of the ear that gathers sound waves.
reflex arc Path of nerve impulses that bypass the brain for a quicker response.
semicircular canals Liquid-filled part of the ear that senses changes in position and gen-
erates nerve impulses in response.
stirrup Last of three tiny bones that pass vibrations through the ear.
taste buds Tiny bumps on the tongue that contain taste neurons.
touch Sense of pain, pressure, or temperature.