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The Bass test is designed to demonstrate the function of the vestibular systems

ID: 3473923 • Letter: T

Question

The Bass test is designed to demonstrate the function of the vestibular systems and it's regulation of balance. What is the function of the so called tip links on the stereocilia of hair cells in the vestibular system (also present in the organ of corti)? What is odd about how the hair cells mentioned above depolarise in terms of the ions responsible? What effect does the direction of bending of the stereocilia of hair cells have on the stimulation of action potentials from the supporting afferent neurones?

Explanation / Answer

4) Stereocilia are mechanosensing organelles present in the hair cells of inner ear. They are responsible for hearing and balance. Stereocilia contain structures called tiplinks on their outer surface.

These tiplinks are the extracellular filaments which connect Stereocilia with one another and also with the kinocilium. Tip links contain spring gated ion channels and is responsible for mechanotransduction.