In the semicircular canals, bending of sterocilia away from the longest stereocilium (the kinocilium) results in ______ of the hair cells. Increased bending of steroeocilia in this same direction is interpreted by the brain as ______. Question 3 Answer a. hyperpolarization : an increase in the magnitude of acceleration b. hyperpolarization : a decrease in the magnitude of acceleration c. depolarization : a change in the direction of the acceleration d. depolarization : an increase in the magnitude of acceleration