[Campbell Biology P.1165] According to the text, which of the following best explains how sem... | Practice Question
According to the text, which of the following best explains how semicircular canals contribute to the sensation of dizziness?
A: Dizziness occurs when otoliths within the canals continue to move after the head stops, bending hair cells.
B: The fluid in the canals continues to move even after the body stops rotating, causing it to encounter a stationary cupula and signal false angular motion.
C: Semicircular canals detect low-frequency waves, and prolonged exposure leads to sensory overload and dizziness.
D: The hairs of the hair cells become detached from the cupula due to excessive spinning, leading to a loss of equilibrium.
Explanation
The text states that if you spin and then stop, the fluid in the semicircular canals eventually comes to equilibrium. However, at the moment of stopping, the moving fluid encounters a stationary cupula, triggering the false sensation of angular motion known as dizziness.