Otoliths detect which type of acceleration?

Otoliths detect which type of acceleration?

• A. Linear acceleration
• B. Angular acceleration
• C. Gravitational tilt
• D. Pressure changes

Answer: (A)

Otolith organs are specialized for sensing linear forces. The utricle and saccule contain maculae with hair cells embedded in a gelatinous layer that has otolith crystals. When the head undergoes translational (linear) movement, inertia makes the otoliths lag behind the surrounding tissue, pulling on the gelatin and bending the hair cells. This produces changes in electrical signaling that correspond to the rate and direction of linear acceleration. Gravity adds a constant linear force as the head tilts, so changes in orientation relative to gravity are also detected by these same structures. In contrast, angular (rotational) changes are detected by the semicircular canals, which respond to angular acceleration through movement of endolymph and deflection of the canal’s hair cells. Pressure changes are not the primary signal from the otoliths. So the best fit is that otoliths detect linear acceleration.

Otolith organs are specialized for sensing linear forces. The utricle and saccule contain maculae with hair cells embedded in a gelatinous layer that has otolith crystals. When the head undergoes translational (linear) movement, inertia makes the otoliths lag behind the surrounding tissue, pulling on the gelatin and bending the hair cells. This produces changes in electrical signaling that correspond to the rate and direction of linear acceleration. Gravity adds a constant linear force as the head tilts, so changes in orientation relative to gravity are also detected by these same structures.

In contrast, angular (rotational) changes are detected by the semicircular canals, which respond to angular acceleration through movement of endolymph and deflection of the canal’s hair cells. Pressure changes are not the primary signal from the otoliths. So the best fit is that otoliths detect linear acceleration.