For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

For you to hear, the brain must convert sound energy into electrical energy. It does so with hair cells. They are located deep within the ear, and they bend when sound waves reach them. When they bend, they open and let in current, which sparks an electrical signal. That signal will follow the vestibulocochlear nerve to higher centers in the brain. 

The tongue here is sliced along the coronal plane, which divides the body into front and back parts. Notice the layers of epithelium and skeletal muscle.

Fluorescent staining makes a variety of cells stand out. Here, they are discerned by red, green, and blue. 

The tongue here is sliced along the coronal plane, which divides the body into front and back parts. Notice the layers of epithelium and skeletal muscle.

The tongue here is sliced along the coronal plane, which divides the body into front and back parts. Notice the layers of epithelium and skeletal muscle.

These house the cells that enable us to taste. Each taste bud is covered with gustatory cells that process a variety of flavors. 

Notice the MRI. It is a cross-section along the sagittal plane, which divides the body into left and right halves. The tongue is shown with a golden hue. 

With an electron microscope, scientists are able to produce high-resolution images of the surfaces of an object. Here, the surface of the toungue is highlighted. 

With an electron microscope, scientists are able to produce high-resolution images of the surfaces of an object. Here, the surface of the toungue is highlighted. 

The tongue isn't the only organ for taste. By the back of the throat, the epiglottis is made of elastic cartilage. It separates food from the trachea and esophagus. It too contains taste receptors.