Biology - Neural Control and Coordination Question with Solution | TestHub
The macula situated in the utricle and saccule consists of hair cells and supporting cells. The tips of hair and cilium project into a thick gelatinous sheath called _____ membrane.
Options:
Answer:
Solution:
The inner ear contains the vestibular apparatus, which is responsible for maintaining body balance and posture. It consists of the semicircular canals and the otolith organ.
The otolith organ consists of two sac-like structures: the utricle and the saccule. Each of these structures contains a sensory patch called the macula.
The macula is composed of hair cells (sensory cells) and supporting cells. The 'hairs' (stereocilia and a kinocilium) of these hair cells project upwards into a thick, gelatinous covering.
This gelatinous layer contains tiny calcium carbonate crystals called otoliths (or otoconia). Because of the presence of these otoliths, this gelatinous sheath is known as the otolithic membrane.
The other options are incorrect in this context: the tectorial membrane is found in the organ of Corti in the cochlea, covering the hair cells there; the basilar membrane is also in the cochlea, supporting the organ of Corti; and Reissner's membrane separates the scala vestibuli from the scala media in the cochlea.
Answer: otolithic
