Cochlear function: hearing in the fast lane.
The cochlea amplifies sound over a wide range of frequencies. Outer hair cells have been thought to play a mechanical part in this amplification, but it has been unclear whether they act rapidly enough. Recent work suggests that outer hair cells can indeed work at frequencies that cover the auditory range.
Ashmore
J
J
Department of Physiology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. j.ashmore@ucl.ac.uk
Géléoc
G S
GS
D000162:Acoustics; D000818:Animals; D001489:Basilar Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003051:Cochlea / Q000502:physiology*; D005246:Feedback; D018072:Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer / Q000502:physiology; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*