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The human ear

Colour: 
Green
Term: 
3
Week: 
Week 3
Language: 
Introduction: 

Focus on the aims of the lesson and use the resources available to understand the concepts and skills to be mastered.

Revise the ‘nervous system’ topic in Grade 9

Revise ‘nerve tissue’ covered in term 2 in Grade 10.

Hearing:

  • The pinna traps and directs the sound waves into the external auditory canal/ear canal/meatus
  • This causes the tympanic membrane to vibrate
  • The vibrations are transmitted to the auditory ossicles
  • The ossicles amplify the vibrations and transmit it to the oval window
  • The oval window vibrates creating pressure waves in the fluid/endolymph of the cochlea
  • This stimulates the organ of Corti to convert the wave into an impulse
  • The impulse travels along the auditory nerve to the cerebrum where it is interpreted

 

Balance:

 

  • The maculae in the utriculus and sacculus are stimulated by changes in the position of the head.
  • The cristae in the semi-circular canals are stimulated by changes in the direction and speed of movement.
  • When stimulated, the cristae and maculae convert the stimuli into nerve impulses
  • The nerve impulses are transmitted through the auditory nerve to the cerebellum where they are interpreted
  • The cerebellum then sends impulses via the motor neurons to the skeletal muscles to restore balance
Activities: 

Answer the following questions:

1. Describe how the parts of the middle ear, including the membranes, assist with amplifying sounds. 
 
2. Describe the role of the semi-circular canals in maintaining balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upload Audio Activities : 
Conclusion: 

By studying and learning about the human nervous system you will understand that organisms need to detect and respond to stimuli in order for them to survive in a continuously changing environment. 

Introduction Heading: 
Revision
Activities Heading: 
Questions from past papers
Conclusion Heading: 
Values
Grade: 
12
Subject: