Are the resonant frequencies of the vocal tract dependent on the fundamental frequency of the vocal folds?

The resonant frequencies of the vocal tract, also known as formant frequencies, are primarily determined by the physical characteristics and shape of the vocal tract itself, rather than the fundamental frequency produced by the vocal folds. The fundamental frequency relates to the pitch of the sound generated by the vocal folds' vibration, while the formants are the result of how the shape of the vocal tract filters this sound.

Formant frequencies arise from the various configurations of the vocal tract as it articulates different sounds. These configurations change the length, width, and overall shape of the vocal tract, which affects how sound waves resonate within it. While the fundamental frequency may influence how we perceive the quality of the sound being produced, it does not directly dictate the resonant frequencies. Thus, the correct answer reflects the independence of the resonant frequencies from the fundamental frequency.