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Questions and Answers
What are free nerve endings?
What are free nerve endings?
- Specialized for light touch
- The most abundant pain receptors (correct)
- Exclusive to internal organs
- Only located in the skin
What depolarizes free nerve endings?
What depolarizes free nerve endings?
Cytoplasmic molecules from injured cells and temperature changes
Thermoreceptors are depolarized by the speed of their own cytoplasmic molecules.
Thermoreceptors are depolarized by the speed of their own cytoplasmic molecules.
True (A)
How do free nerve endings function as touch receptors?
How do free nerve endings function as touch receptors?
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Free nerve endings are the most abundant __________ receptors.
Free nerve endings are the most abundant __________ receptors.
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What happens when impulses from free nerve endings reach the brain?
What happens when impulses from free nerve endings reach the brain?
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Study Notes
Free Nerve Endings
- Most abundant pain receptors found throughout the body, including skin and internal organs.
- Play a crucial role in sensing pain related to cell damage or injury.
Activation of Free Nerve Endings
- Depolarization occurs when cytoplasmic molecules leak from damaged cells, signaling pain.
- Free nerve endings detect changes in temperature, which also leads to depolarization and pain signaling.
Thermoreceptors Functionality
- Mechanism of depolarization remains unclear; thought to be influenced by the speed of cytoplasmic molecules.
- Cooler temperatures slow down molecular movement, while higher temperatures accelerate it.
Free Nerve Endings as Touch Receptors
- Additionally act as mechanoreceptors, detecting touch and pressure.
- Mechanoreceptors are activated by distortion, sending impulses to the somatosensory association area for interpretation as touch or pressure.
- Example of mechanoreceptor activation includes pressing on objects like a pencil or keyboard, creating a sensory response in the fingers.
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