Neurophysiology and special senses: vestibular hair cell response: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Neurophysiology and special senses: vestibular hair cell response

Sample item

In a semicircular canal, what happens when the stereocilia of a hair cell bend towards the kinocilium?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. The cell depolarises and afferent firing increases

Bending towards the kinocilium opens mechanically gated channels and depolarises the hair cell, increasing transmitter release and firing in the vestibular nerve. Bending away hyperpolarises the cell and reduces firing.

Option by option

  • A. The cell depolarises and afferent firing increases (correct)

    Correct. Bending towards the kinocilium depolarises the cell and increases firing.

  • B. The cell depolarises and afferent firing stays unchanged

    Depolarisation increases transmitter release and therefore the firing rate.

  • C. The cell hyperpolarises and afferent firing decreases

    This describes bending away from the kinocilium.

  • D. The cell hyperpolarises and afferent firing increases

    Hyperpolarisation reduces transmitter release, so firing cannot increase.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is A, The cell depolarises and afferent firing increases. Bending towards the kinocilium opens mechanically gated channels and depolarises the hair cell, increasing transmitter release and firing in the vestibular nerve.

Why is "The cell depolarises and afferent firing stays unchanged" not the answer?

Depolarisation increases transmitter release and therefore the firing rate.

Why is "The cell hyperpolarises and afferent firing decreases" not the answer?

This describes bending away from the kinocilium.

Why is "The cell hyperpolarises and afferent firing increases" not the answer?

Hyperpolarisation reduces transmitter release, so firing cannot increase.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurophysiology and special senses: vestibular hair cell response in Physiology. Bending away hyperpolarises the cell and reduces firing.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurophysiology and special senses: vestibular hair cell response?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.