Exemplar Problems

Question:

What is the function of the basilar membrane, and how does it contribute to our perception of sound?

Answer:

The basilar membrane is a critical part of the cochlea in the inner ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves, with high-frequency sounds causing vibrations near the base and low-frequency sounds near the apex. This frequency-to-place mapping on the basilar membrane allows us to perceive different pitches of sound.