Podcast
Questions and Answers
Receptive fields are smaller in areas requiring greater ______.
Receptive fields are smaller in areas requiring greater ______.
sensitivity
Skin is a very important sensory ______.
Skin is a very important sensory ______.
organ
Two-point Discrimination Test is a measure of tactile ______.
Two-point Discrimination Test is a measure of tactile ______.
acuity
Generator potentials lead to action potentials when they reach threshold for ______.
Generator potentials lead to action potentials when they reach threshold for ______.
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A Medial Lemniscal Tract and a Spinothalamic Tract are crucial for sensory path______.
A Medial Lemniscal Tract and a Spinothalamic Tract are crucial for sensory path______.
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The thalamus acts as an important relay ______ for sensory information.
The thalamus acts as an important relay ______ for sensory information.
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Sensory neurons synapse in brainstem nuclei, including the main sensory trigeminal ______.
Sensory neurons synapse in brainstem nuclei, including the main sensory trigeminal ______.
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The dorsal columns are first order neurons composed of large myelinated ______.
The dorsal columns are first order neurons composed of large myelinated ______.
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Second order neurons known as the Medial Lemniscus synapse in ______.
Second order neurons known as the Medial Lemniscus synapse in ______.
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The dorsal columns carry sensory information from skin, muscles, tendons, and ______.
The dorsal columns carry sensory information from skin, muscles, tendons, and ______.
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Proprioception refers to the position of body parts and awareness of ______.
Proprioception refers to the position of body parts and awareness of ______.
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Discriminative touch includes light touch, precise location, and ______.
Discriminative touch includes light touch, precise location, and ______.
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The Spinothalamic Tract transmits sensory information regarding pain, temperature, crude touch, itch, and ______.
The Spinothalamic Tract transmits sensory information regarding pain, temperature, crude touch, itch, and ______.
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The Spinothalamic Pathway involves a ______ neuron relay system between the receptor and the sensory cortex.
The Spinothalamic Pathway involves a ______ neuron relay system between the receptor and the sensory cortex.
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The third order axons of the Spinothalamic Tract terminate in precise areas of the ______.
The third order axons of the Spinothalamic Tract terminate in precise areas of the ______.
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The sensory cortex is mapped out with different areas corresponding to defined locations on the ______.
The sensory cortex is mapped out with different areas corresponding to defined locations on the ______.
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The area of sensory cortex allocated to a body part is determined by the number of sensory ______ in that area.
The area of sensory cortex allocated to a body part is determined by the number of sensory ______ in that area.
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The somatosensory cortex is located in the ______ lobe.
The somatosensory cortex is located in the ______ lobe.
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All incoming sensory information must reach the sensory cortex for ______ perception of the sensation.
All incoming sensory information must reach the sensory cortex for ______ perception of the sensation.
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The ______ homunculus is a representation of the sensory cortex areas linked to body parts.
The ______ homunculus is a representation of the sensory cortex areas linked to body parts.
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The function of sensory physiology is to allow us to interact with the world and transduce different types of energy into electrical signals called ______.
The function of sensory physiology is to allow us to interact with the world and transduce different types of energy into electrical signals called ______.
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The area of the brain responsible for the interpretation of sensory information is called the ______.
The area of the brain responsible for the interpretation of sensory information is called the ______.
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The different types of sensory receptors include chemoreceptors, thermoreceptors, ______, mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, and proprioreceptors.
The different types of sensory receptors include chemoreceptors, thermoreceptors, ______, mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, and proprioreceptors.
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Nociceptors are responsible for detecting ______ stimuli that generate pain.
Nociceptors are responsible for detecting ______ stimuli that generate pain.
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Proprioreceptors provide information about body and limb ______, which is important for control of movement.
Proprioreceptors provide information about body and limb ______, which is important for control of movement.
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Receptive field refers to the area of skin that, once stimulated, produces a response in that ______.
Receptive field refers to the area of skin that, once stimulated, produces a response in that ______.
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Sensory receptors can be classified as rapidly adapting or ______ adapting.
Sensory receptors can be classified as rapidly adapting or ______ adapting.
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Hair cells in the ear function as ______ that detect pressure changes.
Hair cells in the ear function as ______ that detect pressure changes.
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To generate action potentials, sensory receptors must exhibit ______ properties.
To generate action potentials, sensory receptors must exhibit ______ properties.
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The process of stimulation of sensory receptors marks the beginning of ______.
The process of stimulation of sensory receptors marks the beginning of ______.
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Study Notes
Overview of Sensory Physiology
- Sensory physiology allows us to interact with the world around us.
- Sensory receptors detect different types of energy and convert them into electrical signals called action potentials (AP).
- These APs are transmitted to the sensory cortex in the brain for interpretation and perception.
- Perception begins with the stimulation of sensory receptors, each responding to a specific stimulus.
Types of Sensory Receptors
- Chemoreceptors: Detect chemical changes.
- Thermoreceptors: Detect warm and cold.
- Photoreceptors: Detect light.
- Mechanoreceptors: Detect pressure, including hair cells in the ear.
- Nociceptors: Detect noxious stimuli and generate pain.
- Proprioreceptors: Provide information about body and limb position, crucial for movement control.
- Sensory receptors can be rapidly adapting or slowly adapting:
- Rapidly adapting receptors: Discharge reduces or ceases quickly with sustained stimulation.
- Slowly adapting receptors: Continue to discharge as long as stimulation persists.
Sensory Neurones
- Sensory neurones transmit information from receptors to the central nervous system (CNS).
- The direction of information flow in sensory neurones is from the receptor to the CNS.
Receptive Field
- The receptive field of a sensory neuron is the specific area of skin which, when stimulated, produces a response in that neuron.
- Receptive fields vary in size.
- Smaller receptive fields indicate greater sensitivity due to a higher density of receptors in the area.
Skin Receptors
- Skin is a significant sensory organ.
- The Two-point Discrimination Test measures tactile acuity, highlighting the relationship between receptive field size and receptor density.
Transmission of Sensory Information
- Sensory receptors convert stimulus energy into generator potentials, which are local graded changes in membrane potential.
- Action potentials are generated when the generator potential exceeds the threshold for depolarization.
- The strength of the stimulus directly correlates with the frequency of action potential generation.
Sensory Pathways to the Brain
- Sensory information travels to the sensory cortex via specific pathways, allowing for conscious perception.
- The thalamus is a crucial relay center for sensory information.
- Two primary pathways are involved:
- Medial Lemniscal Tract (Dorsal Columns): Transmits information about proprioception, discriminative touch, pressure, and vibration sense.
- Spinothalamic Tract/Pathway: Transmits information about pain, temperature, crude touch, itch, and tickle.
Medial Lemniscal Tract (Dorsal Columns)
- Composed of large myelinated axons traveling in an organized, somatotopic manner.
- First-order neurons enter the spinal cord and ascend in the dorsal route.
- They synapse in the medulla on the dorsal column nuclei (nucleus gracilis for lower body & legs, and nucleus cuneatus for upper body & arms), becoming second-order neurons.
- Second-order neurons (medial lemniscus) synapse in the thalamus on third-order neurons, which project to the somatosensory cortex.
Spinothalamic Tract/Pathway
- Consists of anterior and lateral components.
- Involves a three-neuron relay system.
- Third-order axons terminate in specific areas of the somatosensory cortex.
Sensory Homunculus
- The sensory cortex has a somatotopic map, with different body areas represented in specific locations.
- The size of the cortical representation of a body part is determined by the density of sensory receptors in that area, not the size of the body part itself.
Sensory Cortex
- Located in the parietal lobe.
- Receives all incoming sensory information for conscious perception.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of sensory physiology and how our sensory receptors work. This quiz covers the types of receptors, their functions, and the processes involved in perceiving stimuli. Test your knowledge on how our body interacts with the environment through various sensory mechanisms.
