| Date | November 2020 | Marks available | 3 | Reference code | 20N.3.SL.TZ0.6 |
| Level | Standard level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | TZ0 / no time zone |
| Command term | Describe | Question number | 6 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The hearing threshold is how loud a sound needs to be before an individual can perceive the sound. The chart shows the mean value of the hearing threshold for hearing-impaired individuals before and after receiving a cochlear implant. Normal human speech has a range of loudness of from 50 to 60 decibels (dB).
[Source: This article was published in Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, Volume number
81, issue 2, Caixeta Guimarães, A., Machado de Carvalho, G., Duarte, A.S.M., Bianchini, W.A., Bravo Sarasty, A.,
di Gregorio, M.F., Zernotti, M.E., Sartorato, E.L., Menino Castilho, A., Hearing preservation and cochlear implants
according to inner ear approach: multicentric evaluation., pp.190–196 , Copyright Elsevier (2015).]
Outline the effect of the cochlear implant on hearing.
Suggest, with reference to the structure of the ear, a reason that a cochlear implant requires an amplifier.
Describe the normal function of the cochlea.
Markscheme
a. the implant lowered the threshold of hearing
OR
allowed quieter sounds to be heard;
b. the person would be able to hear human speech;
the implant is not connected to the bones (whose function is to amplify sound)
OR
the implant bypasses the middle ear
OR
the amplifier replaces the function of the bones
a. vibrations cause fluid in the cochlea to move;
b. (movement of fluid) causes stimulation/movement of haircells/mechanoreceptors;
c. higher frequency is detected closer to the base of the cochlea / vice versa
OR
each frequency stimulates specific hair cells;
d. hair cells generate impulses;
e. connected to the brain by the auditory nerve;
Examiners report
Many candidates correctly stated that the cochlear implant lowered the hearing threshold, but fewer stated it would allow human speech to be heard.
The need for an amplifier as the bones of the middle ear were bypassed was noted by the stronger candidates.
Candidates get confused when describing the function of the cochlea. Most know there is fluid and there are hair cells, but answers were often confused. Only the better candidates stated that hair cells respond to different frequencies of sound.
Syllabus sections
- 17N.3.SL.TZ0.04d.i: Identify the cell labelled X.
- 18M.3.SL.TZ1.6b: Compare and contrast the mechanisms involved in hearing sounds in individuals with and...
-
17N.3.SL.TZ0.06a.i:
Using the letter M, label the structures which detect movement of the head.
- 16N.3.HL.TZ0.7c: Explain the role of the hair cells in the cochlea.
- 17M.3.HL.TZ2.5b: Explain how sounds of different wavelengths are distinguished by the ear.
- 17M.3.HL.TZ1.5a: Approximately 350 000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants. Outline the use of...
-
18M.3.SL.TZ1.6c:
Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.
- 17N.3.SL.TZ0.04d.ii: Draw an arrow to show the direction of light through the retina.
-
19M.3.SL.TZ1.6d.ii:
Annotate the diagram with an X to show the internal location where a cochlear implant is placed.
- 17N.3.SL.TZ0.06c: Outline how the hearing of a deaf or partially deaf person could be improved.
-
17N.3.SL.TZ0.06a.ii:
Using the letter A, label where sound is amplified.
- 19N.3.HL.TZ0.5d: Explain, using the diagram, how the visual stimuli from the right eye reach the visual cortex...
- 17M.3.SL.TZ1.7a: The diagram shows the anatomy of the human ear. Label the cochlea on the diagram.
- 16N.3.HL.TZ0.7b: State the function of the bones in the middle ear.
- 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4b.i: Explain how neurons at rest still consume energy.
-
19N.3.HL.TZ0.5a:
On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.
- 17M.3.SL.TZ1.7c: Explain the role of ganglion cells in the eye.
- 17M.3.SL.TZ2.7a: State the name of the photoreceptor shown.
- 17M.3.SL.TZ2.7b: Distinguish between a photoreceptor and an olfactory receptor.
- 17M.3.HL.TZ2.6d: State the type of receptor that detects odours.
- 17M.3.HL.TZ2.5a: Graph 1 shows the range of light wavelengths detected by the three types of cone cells in...
-
19M.3.HL.TZ1.6c:
Explain the function of the semicircular canals.
- 17M.3.SL.TZ1.7b: Explain the structure of the semicircular canals in relation to their functions.
- 17M.3.HL.TZ1.5c: Describe the role of bipolar cells in the eye.
-
18M.3.HL.TZ1.6b:
Outline the role of the ear in balance perception.
- 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4b.iii: Describe the relationship between energy consumption and transmission rate.
- 19M.3.SL.TZ1.6b: State the range of sound frequencies detected by the ear.
- 19M.3.SL.TZ2.6a: Identify the parts of the ear labelled X and Y. X: Y:
- 19N.3.SL.TZ0.6c: Explain, using the diagram, how the visual stimuli from the right eye reach the visual cortex...
-
19N.3.SL.TZ0.6a:
On the diagram, draw an arrow showing the direction of the light.
-
16N.3.SL.TZ0.7a:
Identify the structures labelled I and II
- 19N.3.SL.TZ0.6b: Identify the cells labelled A and B. A: B:
-
16N.3.SL.TZ0.4a:
Human speech occurs at a volume of approximately 60 dB and at frequencies between 125 Hz and 4000 Hz. Outline whether the woman would hear all conversations with both ears.
- 17M.3.HL.TZ1.5b: State the part of the ear that is responsible for detecting movement of the head.
- 19N.3.HL.TZ0.5b: Identify the cells labelled A and B. A: B:
- 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4b.ii: Identify the species with photoreceptors that have the fastest signalling transmission rate.
- 16N.3.SL.TZ0.4b: The woman suffers from otosclerosis in the right ear, a condition where the bones of the...
-
20N.3.SL.TZ0.6b:
Suggest, with reference to the structure of the ear, a reason that a cochlear implant requires an amplifier.
-
16N.3.SL.TZ0.4c:
Explain the role of the hair cells in the cochlea.
- 18N.3.SL.TZ0.7a: Identify the structure labelled X.
-
19M.3.HL.TZ2.4a.ii:
Describe the use of cochlear implants in deaf patients.
- 19M.3.SL.TZ1.6a: Outline the relationship between the distance from the oval window and the sound frequency...
- 19M.3.HL.TZ1.6b: Identify the structure in the inner ear that is in contact with the stapes.
- 18N.3.HL.TZ0.8: Explain how the eye detects stimuli and sends information to the brain.
- 19M.3.HL.TZ1.6a: Identify the structures labelled X and Y in the diagram.
- 19M.3.SL.TZ2.6b: Describe the use of cochlear implants in deaf patients.
- 18M.3.HL.TZ1.6a.ii: Suggest one reason for hearing loss caused by extended exposure to high intensity sound.
-
17N.3.SL.TZ0.06b:
Explain the function of the cochlea in hearing.
- 20N.3.SL.TZ0.6a: Outline the effect of the cochlear implant on hearing.
-
20N.3.HL.TZ0.7a:
Outline the trend in large tree finch song frequency.
-
18M.3.SL.TZ1.6a:
Identify the part of the ear labelled X.
- 18M.3.HL.TZ1.6a.i: State the type of sensory receptors that detect sound.
- 19M.3.SL.TZ1.6c: Sensory receptors are divided into different categories. Hair cells in the cochlea are...
- 18N.3.SL.TZ0.7b: Explain how sound from an outside source causes movement of the hair cells in the cochlea.
- 19N.3.HL.TZ0.5c: Photoreceptors in the retina sense light. State the name of another type of receptor with an...
- 19M.3.HL.TZ2.4a.i: Identify the parts of the ear labelled X and Y. X: Y:
- 19M.3.SL.TZ1.6d.i: Identify the structure labelled Y in the diagram.
- 19M.3.SL.TZ1.6e: Outline the function of the stapes.
-
17N.3.HL.TZ0.05c:
Describe red-green colour blindness.
- 19N.3.SL.TZ0.7: Describe how the inner ear detects audible sounds.
-
18M.3.HL.TZ1.8:
Explain how the human eye is able to distinguish between different colours of light.
- 18M.3.SL.TZ2.4a: Outline the function of one named photoreceptor in the mammalian eye.
-
18M.3.SL.TZ2.5a:
Label the pupil and the retina on the diagram.
[Source: Holly Fischer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_eye#/media/File:Three_Internal_chambers_of_the_Eye.png]
