11. The bending of these stereocilia alters an electric signal that is transmitted to the brain. 12. A gelatinous cover called the otolithic membrane envelops the tips of the stereocilia and kinocilium. 13. In vertical linear acceleration, the weighted otolithic membrane lags behind the stereocilia and kinocilium. 14. This bends the stereocilia , which is interpreted by the brain as vertical linear acceleration. 15. Stereocilia exist in the vestibular systems.16. Resembling hair-like projections, the stereocilia are arranged in bundles of 30-300. 17. The hair bundle is composed of a single kinocilium and many ( at least 70 ) stereocilia . 18. Stereocilia are connected to mechanically gated ion channels in the hair cell plasma membrane via tip links.19. In the vestibular system, the stereocilia are located in the otolithic organs and the semicircular canals. 20. The transduction channels associated with stereocilia are thought to lie at the distal ends of the stereocilia.
