Gr.

12 Life Sciences
The ear
The Ear
 Structure

The ear consists of three regions:

Outer ear

Middle ear

Inner ear
 Outer Ear

Outer ear
Consists of the cartilaginous pinna and an Functions of the
auditory canal outer ear
• The pinna directs sound
Pinna waves through the auditory
canal to the tympanic
membrane
• The auditory canal directs
sound waves to the tympanic
Auditory canal membrane.
Cerumen (wax) and hairs in the
auditory canal prevents small
organisms from entering the
ear.
Wax also prevents the ear drum
from drying out.
 Middle Ear

Structure of the middle ear Functions of the middle ear

Tympanic membrane transmits vibrations
to the ossicles
The ossicles transmits impulses from the
tympanic membrane to the inner ear
The Eustachean tube maintains equal
pressure on either side of the tympanic
membrane
The oval window transmits vibrations of
the ossicles into the inner ear.
The round window absorbs the pressure
set up in the inner ear.
 Inner Ear

Structure of the inner ear Functions of the inner ear

Semi circular
canals • The semicircular canals, sacculus and
utriculus are connected with balance
and equilibrium.

• The cochlea contains the organ of

Oval
window Cochlear nerve Corti which converts the stimulus of
sound into impulses.

• The auditory nerve transmits sound

impulses to the brain.
Round window Cochlea
 Hearing and Balance

Path sound • When the direction of the head

Pinna ------auditory canal -------tympanic changes, gravitational pull
membrane ----hammer ---anvil ---- stirrup ---- stimulates maculae – in the
sacculus and utriculus
oval window----perilymph---organ of Corti---
auditory canal ----brain • Within the cristae and maculae
the stimuli is converted to
Balance impulses
• Sudden changes in speed and direction
• These impulses are sent to the
causes the endolymph within the
brain by the vestibular branch of
semicircular canals to move.
the auditory nerve to the
cerebellum for interpretation to
• The movement of the fluid stimulates the
restore balance.
cristae in the ampullae – situated at the
base of the semi circular canal.
 Hearing Defects

Hearing defect Causes Treatment

Middle ear - Excess fluid in the Inserting grommets

middle ear caused by - Antibiotics
infection pathogen
-Infection caused by
viruses and bacteria that
cause common cold,
influenza, measles and
mumps.
-The fluid caused by the
infection makes the
Eustachian tube to be
swollen, inflamed and
clogged.

Deafness Injury to parts of the ear, Hearing aids

nerves or parts of brain - Cochlear implants
responsible for hearing
- Hardened wax
- Hardening of ear tissues
such as ossicles.
 Question 1

1. Study the following diagram of the human ear and answer the
questions that follow.
1.1 Identify parts B and G. (2)

1.2 State the function of each of parts C and E. (2)

1.3. Explain:
a) Why you can often clear a buzzing/humming in
the ear by swallowing (3)
b) Why the membrane labelled F is much larger
than membrane C (2)

1.4. A dog has lost part A in an accident. Part A is

replaced with a stiff, non-elastic,
solid plastic structure.
a) Is the plastic structure as effective as the
original ear of the dog? (1)
b) Explain your answer to QUESTION 1.4 (a). (2)

1.5. Explain how part D and the retina of the eye

function in similar ways. (4)
1.6. Give ONE reason for part D being spirally
shaped. (2)
 Answers
1.1 B : Semi-circular canals √ √
G : Auditory meatus/canal √ √ (4) b)
• To amplify √
1.2 C : Transmits pressure waves to the perilymph of the • Sound √ (2)
inner ear √ √ (2)
1.4 (a) No √ (1)
E: Prevents pressure build-up of sound waves √ / distortion √ (b) It is not moveable or flexible √ for more
/eases vibrations out of the inner ear √ / absorbs vibrations accurate collection of sound √
√ (any two) (2) / for finding the direction √ that the sound is
coming from √ (2)
1.3
(a) 1.5
• A buzzing sound is caused by a difference in the pressure Both receive √ stimuli √ and convert √ to impulses
between the outer and √ which they send √ through
the middle ear √ the sensory neuron √ (Any 2 x 2) = (4)
• Swallowing opens / closes the Eustachian tube √
• to equalize the pressure √ (3) 1.6
Larger surface area √ to accommodate more
receptors √ fits into smaller area /
takes up less space √ (Any 2) = (2)
 Question 2
2. Study the diagram below and answer the
questions that follow:

2.1. State the letter and name of the part

associated with each of the following
statements:
a) the part that secretes cerumen (ear wax) (2)
b) the part that intensifies sound waves (2)
c) the part that carries impulses to the brain (2)
d) the part that is responsible for balance (2)
e) the part that ensure that the air pressure is
equal on both sides of the
eardrum (2)

2.2. Explain what would happen if part F was

blocked. (4)
2.3. Describe the sequence of events that occur
between the entry of a sound
wave into the ear canal, until it reaches the
auditory nerve. (14)
2.4. Briefly discuss what a middle ear infection is
and how this is solved. (10)
 Answers

2.1. • Sound waves are collected by the pinna

a) H = external auditory canal √ √ and passed down the external
b) A = bony ossicles √ √ auditory canal. √
c) D = auditory nerve √ √ • We become conscious of sound when the
d) C = semi-circular canals √ √ vibrations reach our ear-drums
e) F = Eustachian tube √ √ (5 x 2) (10) (tympanic membrane). √
• The ear-drum vibrates according to the
2.2. If the Eustachian tube was blocked: frequency of the sound waves. √
• The air external to the eardrum will have a • These vibrations are transmitted to the
different pressure √ to the air three ossicles (the hammer, anvil
in the middle ear √. This will cause pressure and stirrup) in the middle ear, which
to build on one side of the eardrum √ and amplify the vibrations. √
cause it to bulge and possible burst √ (4) • The stirrup passes the vibration through
2.3. the oval window, into the inner ear √.
• Sound waves move from the vibrating
source (e.g. a person talking, a car • The oval window vibrates and causes
driving past etc) in horizontal waves √ vibrations of the perilymph in the form
• Humans hear sounds with a vibration of wave movements. √
frequency of between 16 and 20 • The wave movements are transferred to
000Hz √ the endolymph inside the cochlea) √
• The hair cells of the Organs of Corti
convert the mechanical stimulus of
the sound wave is converted into an impulse
by the hair cells √
 Answers

• The impulse is passed via the cochlear 2.4. Middle ear infection:
branch of the auditory nerve to the • An inflammation of the middle ear √
auditory centre in the cerebral cortex, • When the middle ear becomes infected by
where the sensation of sound is bacteria, there is extreme pain as
perceived. √ pressure builds up behind the eardrum √
• Excess vibrations are passed out through • The pressure is caused by pus, which collects in
the round window, to prevent the middle ear cavity √
sound pressure and echoes. √ (14) • The Eustachian tube becomes blocked so there is
a lack of the ability to
equalise the pressure on both sides of the
eardrum√
• In some cases, the eardrum may burst and pus
drains out of the ear √
• Antibiotics are generally prescribed. √
• Severe scarring of the eardrum can affect the
person’s hearing. √
• When a person gets middle ear infections often,
an Ear, Nose and Throat
specialist (ENT) √will insert grommets √ into the
eardrum to assist to drain
excess fluid out of the middle ear. √ (10)