In this circuit the 555 timer is used in a novel way, as a voltage controlled switch.The old and omnipresent NE555 can be very good at something it was not meant for: driving relays or other loads up ...
When you first clamp your hands, mic detects the sound and triggers the 555 timer via the operational amplifier. The timer stretches the signal and applies it to the clock input of the flip-flop.