Module 1 Lesson 3 - 1
Completion requirements
Lesson 3 — Mechanoreception: The Ear
Get Focused
The ear is an important structure involved in hearing and balance. Hearing occurs when sound waves are transmitted to the brain along the auditory nerves.
The ear also has a role in balance. When you have an inner ear infection, communication between your eyes and ears is interrupted and you may not be able tell whether you are lying or standing. You may become dizzy and suffer vertigo, the illusion of spinning in space.
The ear also has a role in balance. When you have an inner ear infection, communication between your eyes and ears is interrupted and you may not be able tell whether you are lying or standing. You may become dizzy and suffer vertigo, the illusion of spinning in space.
This lesson explores such phenomena while you address the following focusing questions about the ear:
-
What are the main structures of the ear?
-
How do these structures function to facilitate your responses to sounds in the environment?
-
How do these structures function to help you maintain your balance in a constantly changing environment?
© Getty Images