Dr. Tanner is studying the effects of continuous pesticide exposure on auditory function. Using a ...

Dr. Tanner is studying the effects of continuous pesticide exposure on auditory function. Using a rodent model, Dr. Tanner monitors the organ of Corti in rats with long-term pesticide exposure via two-photon microscopy. Based on his observations, he suspects that pesticides do indeed disrupt auditory function in the organ of Corti. What did Dr. Tanner observe?
 
  a. Pesticide exposure caused the organ of Corti to fill with fluid, preventing the transmission of sound waves.
  b. Pesticide exposure caused the eustacian tube to constrict, restricting the passage of sound waves.
  c. Pesticide exposure caused the ossicles to fracture and fail to vibrate in response to sound waves.
  d. Pesticide exposure caused damage to hair cells, preventing them from bending in response to sound.