The hair cell of the cochlea is depolarized when the stereoc

The hair cell of the cochlea is depolarized when the stereocilia are bent:

(a) in any direction.

(b) towards the smallest stereocilium.

(c) towards the tallest stereocilium.

(d) towards the middle stereocilia.

(e) Hair cells are not depolarized by bending of the stereocilia.

Solution

(c) towards the tallest stereocilium.

“Vestibule” is the central part of the inner ear, and it lies between cochlea and semi-circular canals. It contains utricle and saccule which are parts of membranous labyrinth. Maculae in the vestibule contain sensory receptors called hair cells hair cells with cupula (a gelatinous cap). The activation of hair cells occurs when their cilia are bent towards the tallest stereocilium by the moment of endolymph.