LIFE SCIENCES

GRADE 12

TOPIC: THE EAR

PRESENTERS : FAWZIE RAHIMAN
&
RAEDENE KRUGER
Exam Guidelines
Structure of the Ear

The Ear consists

of three regions:
Outer Ear
Middle Ear
Inner Ear
 Outer Ear: Structure and Function
Pinna Tympanic

Traps sound Membrane

waves and
directs sound Transfers sound
waves to
waves to the
tympanic
membrane. bones of the
middle ear
 Outer Ear: Structure and Function (AIR Filled)
Auditory Tympanic
Membrane
Canal

Transmits Transfers sound

waves to the
sound waves
bones of the
to middle ear middle ear
Has Cerumen
glands (Wax)
Middle Ear: Structure & Function (AIR Filled)
Malleus
(hammer)

Incus
(anvil)

Stapes
(stirrup)
OSSICLES
Middle Ear: Structure & Function (AIR Filled)
Ossicles Function:

The Amplify & transmit

smallest vibrations from the
bones in tympanic membrane (ear
the body drum) to the oval window
Oval
Window is
a
MEMBRANE
Middle Ear & Amplification of Sound
1. The area of the tympanic membrane is
much larger than the area of the stapes and
oval window.
2. The ossicles decrease in size from the
hammer to the anvil to the stirrup.
3. Therefore the sound is amplifies ± 20 X in
the middle ear.
Middle Ear: Eustachian Tube
• Connects the middle ear with
the throat
• Excess fluid from middle ear
drains into throat
• Equalizes pressure on both
sides of the tympanic
membrane
 Middle Ear: Eustachian Tube
Scuba diving
The deeper you dive the higher the water
pressure becomes.
Water exerts pressure on tympanic
membrane.
The pressure inside auditory canal is higher
than the pressure in middle ear.
You have to close your nose and blow so
that air is forced into middle ear via
eustachian tube.
In this manner air pressure is equalised on
both sides of the tympanic membrane.
 Middle Ear: Eustachian Tube
The Higher up you go, the lesser the air pressure becomes. ( The higher the
altitude, the less the air pressure).
The pressure in the auditory canal becomes lesser than the pressure inside the
middle ear.
Tympanic membrane experiences pressure from the middle ear’s side.
Air must leave the middle ear via the eustachian tube to equalise pressure on
either side of the tympanic membrane.

Yawning helps to
equalise the
pressure on
both sides of
the tympanic
membrane
Inner Ear: Structure & Function (Fluid Filled)
Bony structure filled with
liquid consist of :

1. OVAL WINDOW

2. Three Semi Circular

Canals
(three “tubes” filled with liquid
Inner Ear: Structure & Function (Fluid Filled)
3. AMPULLA

A rounding (bubble) at
the bottom of each semi
circular canal.

It contains CRISTAE
which is necessary for
balance.
Inner Ear: Structure & Function (Fluid Filled)
4.Utriculus & Sacculus
At the bottom of the canals
between semi circular
canals and cochlea.
Contains Maculae
for balance
Inner Ear: Structure & Function (Fluid Filled)
5. COCHLEA
Snail-like structure. Filled
with fluid.
Receptors, named the
Organ of Corti
stimulated by the movement
of the fluid and converts
stimuli into impulses
 Inner Ear: Structure & Function
5. ROUND WINDOW
Releases pressure created by the OVAL
window in the fluid.
Prevents echoes caused by the distortion
of pressure waves in the liquid.

6. AUDITORY NERVE
Contains two nerves that merge into one.
Transmits nerve impulses to the brain.
Mind the Gap Study Guide
At the back of MTG at the
annexures, you will find
these diagrams on page
129.
All Learners MUST add
labels and functions /
ANNOTATE these diagrams.
 Activity 1
Give ONE function of the part:

(a) A
Transmits sound waves to the tympanic membrane ✓ /
Secretes ear wax.
(b) E
Equalises pressure on EITHER side of the tympanic
membrane ✓
(c) F
Releases pressure from the inner ear ✓/ prevents
echoes in the ear
 Activity 2
Explain why people with middle ear
infections are usually advised NOT to
travel by aeroplane.
- Mucus in the middle ear√
- will lead to the blockage of the Eustachian
tube√
- which will not be able to equalise the
pressure √ in the middle ear
- resulting in pressure on the tympanic
membrane √
- that may cause the tympanic membrane
to burst √
- leading to hearing loss √
 Activity 3
Explain the consequences on the human body if
Part A becomes hardened.

- Part A (Round Window) will NOT be able

to absorb the sound waves√ from
from the cochlea
- And hearing will be affected negatively. √
 Activity 4
• Explain why the fusion of part A
may lead to hearing loss.

Part A (Ossicles) will not be able

to vibrate√
The round window will not
absorb the sound waves √ from
the cochlea and hearing will be
affected√
 Path of sound through ear
• Pinna
Auditory nerve • Auditory canal
Carries nerve
Auditory • Tympanic membrane
impulse to the
canal • Malleus/Hammer
cerebrum
• Incus/ Anvil
Fluid waves
• Stapes/Stirrup PAT
cause the
Organ of • Oval window MIS
Corti to OC
• Cochlea with
convert the CAC
• Organ of Corti
stimulus
into impulse • Auditory Nerve
Tympanic
• Cerebrum
Sound waves membrane Ossicles
are directed by The vibrating The vibrating eardrum
pinna towards air causes it to makes the ossicles
the inside of vibrate move like levers
the ear
 Path of sound

Organ
Tympanic of Corti
membrane

Sound waves -> Vibrations -> pressure waves 🡪 nerve impulse

 Activity 5
1. Write down only the LETTER of the
part where sound is transmitted in
the form of:
(a) A pressure wave in a liquid
C✓
(b) An electrical impulse
D✓
2. Explain the effect if the receptors in region C
are damaged. (3)
- When damaged the receptors cannot convert the
stimuli into impulses✓
- No impulses/fewer impulses are transmitted to the
cerebrum ✓
- and the person does not hear anything✓/hearing is
impaired
 Activity 6

4. Explain why fusion of the structures at B

may lead to hearing loss. (2)
- The ossicles/structures at A will not be able
to vibrate √
- and hence no vibrations will be passed to
the inner ear√/cochlea will not be stimulated
5. Which part of the brain will receive impulses
from part C? (1)
Cerebrum ✓
 There are 2 ways the inner ear regulates balance:

Change in direction and speed Change in position of head with

Receptor: Crista regards to gravity
Structure: Ampulla, Semi circular Receptor: Macula
canals Structure: Sacculus and Utriculus
ACiDS SUMP

Both receptors convert the stimulus

into an impulse and send it via the
auditory nerve to the Cerebellum
(bellum sounds like balance), which
sends an impulse to the affected
muscles to maintain balance.
 Semi-circular canals : Crista
Cristae are found inside the
Ampullae at the base of the
semi-circular canals
• Sudden changes in speed and
direction causes the liquid
(endolymph) within the semicircular
canals to move.
• The movement of the fluid stimulates
the cristae.
• The cristae convert the stimulus
into a nerve impulse which is send
to the cerebellum via the auditory
nerve.
 Sacculus and utriculus: macula
The maculae are found in
the Sacculus and Utriculus
• When the position of the
head/body changes, the
gravitational pull changes
• the maculae convert the stimulus
into a nerve impulse
• It is then sent via the auditory
nerve to the cerebellum
• The cerebellum interprets it and
sends an impulse to the affected
muscles to address the imbalance
 Activity 8
1. Name the receptors that are found in
part B.
Cristae ✓

2. Describe the role of part B in maintaining balance.

- The cristae ✓ in the semi-circular canals ✓

- are stimulated by changes in speed and direction
✓ of movement
- The cristae convert the stimuli to nerve impulses
✓
- The nerve impulses are transported along the
auditory nerve ✓
- to the cerebellum ✓to be interpreted
 Activity 9
3. Describe how the sacculus and utriculus in the human ear maintain
balance in the human body (5)
― The maculae ✓ found in the utriculus and sacculus
― are stimulated by the change in the position of the head.✓
― the stimuli are converted to nerve impulses ✓
― and transmitted via the auditory nerve✓
― to the cerebellum✓ which also
― sends impulses to the muscles✓
― enabling the person to maintain balance and body position.
 Diseases and disorders of the ear
⚫ Middle ear infections
⚫ Micro-organisms cause the
production of fluids in the middle ear,
⚫ the fluid cannot then drain through
the eustachian tube as it is swollen,
⚫ the accumulation of the fluids
increases pressure in the middle ear
causing the ear to ache.
⚫ Antibiotics are normally used, but if
its chronic grommets are inserted.

31
 Grommets
• Tiny plastic buttons with a fine
hole down the middle may be
inserted into the
eardrum/tympanic membrane.

• Allow drainage of the middle ear

until the Eustachian tube
recovers.
 Possible causes of hearing loss
Hardened ear wax Ruptured tympanic membrane

Ear wax • Damaged ossicles

plug
• Damaged cochlea – hair
cells
• Damage to auditory nerve
• Brain damage
 Treatment

Cochlear implant
Hearing Aids

34
 Activity 10
1. Identify:
a) B
Auditory nerve ✓
b) E
Tympanic membrane ✓

2. Which part of the brain will receive impulses from part C?

Cerebrum ✓
3. Describe how an increased production of mucus in the nose
and throat may lead to the bursting of part E.
‒ The mucus will block the opening of the Eustachian tube ✓
‒ Air cannot enter or leave the middle ear ✓
‒ to equalise pressure on both sides of tympanic membrane ✓ /causing imbalance in pressure
OR
‒ Mucus may move through the Eustachian tube to the middle ear ✓
‒ Build-up of mucus causes pressure in the middle ear ✓
‒ pushing on the tympanic membrane ✓ /part E
 Activity 11
1. Name the receptors that are found in part B.
Cristae ✓
2. Explain the consequence to the
human body if:
a) Part C is damaged
‒ Impulses from the cochlea cannot be transmitted to the brain ✓
‒ and therefore, hearing will not occur ✓

b) Part A becomes hardened

‒ Part A will not be able to vibrate ✓ /The round window will not
absorb the sound waves from the cochlea
‒ and hearing will be affected ✓

3. Explain why people with middle-ear

infections are usually advised not to
travel by aeroplane.
‒ Mucus in the middle ear ✓
‒ will lead to the blockage of the Eustachian tube ✓
‒ which will not be able to equalise the pressure ✓ in the middle ear
‒ resulting in pressure on the tympanic membrane ✓
‒ that may cause the tympanic membrane to burst ✓
‒ leading to hearing loss ✓
THANK YOU