There are three major processes that help accomplish
frequency analysis in vertebrates: macromechanics, micromechanics,
and hair cell electromechanical resonance.
Macromechanical frequency analysis is observed
directly by measuring the mechanical response of the
basilar membrane or auditory papillae (e.g., Ruggero
et al., 1992), and arises from mass and sti¡ness gradients
along the length of the basilar membrane. The
mechanical behavior of the basilar membrane could
also be determined by micromechanics in mammals,