What are sensory hairs in the cochlea responsible for?

The sensory hairs in the cochlea, also known as hair cells, are crucial for the process of auditory perception. They are responsible for converting sound vibrations that enter the ear into electrochemical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. When sound waves travel through the auditory system, they cause the fluid within the cochlea to move. This movement stimulates the hair cells, bending their tiny hair-like projections, which leads to the generation of nerve impulses. These impulses are then sent via the auditory nerve to the brain, allowing us to perceive sound.

This process is essential for hearing and highlights the role of hair cells as transducers of mechanical energy (sound vibrations) into neural signals. Other functions, such as collecting sound waves or filtering noise, involve different structures and processes, while blocking sound is not a function associated with the cochlea's sensory hairs. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the transformation of vibrations into signals, which is vital for auditory processing.