<P> As acoustic sensors in mammals , stereocilia are lined up in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear . In hearing , stereocilia transform the mechanical energy of sound waves into electrical signals for the hair cells , which ultimately leads to an excitation of the auditory nerve . Stereocilia are composed of cytoplasm with embedded bundles of cross-linked actin filaments . The actin filaments anchor to the terminal web and the top of the cell membrane and are arranged in grade of height . As sound waves propagate in the cochlea , the movement of endolymph fluid bends the stereocilia . If the direction of movement is towards the taller stereocilia , tension develops in the tip links , mechanically opening transduction channels near the tips . Cations from the endolymph flow into the cell , depolarizing the hair cell and triggering the release of neurotransmitters to nearby nerves , which send an electrical signal to the central nervous system . </P>
<P> As acoustic sensors in mammals , stereocilia are lined up in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear . In hearing , stereocilia transform the mechanical energy of sound waves into electrical signals for the hair cells , which ultimately leads to an excitation of the auditory nerve . Stereocilia are composed of cytoplasm with embedded bundles of cross-linked actin filaments . The actin filaments anchor to the terminal web and the top of the cell membrane and are arranged in grade of height . As sound waves propagate in the cochlea , the movement of endolymph fluid bends the stereocilia . If the direction of movement is towards the taller stereocilia , tension develops in the tip links , mechanically opening transduction channels near the tips . Cations from the endolymph flow into the cell , depolarizing the hair cell and triggering the release of neurotransmitters to nearby nerves , which send an electrical signal to the central nervous system . </P>
stereocillia on the organ of corti are arranged
stereocillia on the organ of corti are arranged
within the cochlea of the inner ear
within the cochlea of the inner ear