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Inner ear hair cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) showing the sensory hair cells (blue) found in the Organ of Corti in the cochlea of the inner ear. These hairs are surrounded by a fluid called the endolymph. As sound enters the ear it causes waves to form in the endolymph, which in turn cause the hairs to move. The movement is converted into an electrical signal, which is passed to the brain. A single row of stereocilia can be seen at top, with three rows of outer hair cells below. Magnification: x3000 when printed at 10cm wide.