Properties of Receptors in Sensory Physiology

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Questions and Answers

What is the adequate stimulus for a receptor?

A specific form of energy (correct)

A low frequency of energy

Any form of energy

A high intensity of energy

What is the result of adaptation in sensory receptors?

A constant frequency of action potentials

A decrease in the frequency of action potentials (correct)

No change in action potentials

An increase in the frequency of action potentials

What is the state of partial depolarization of the sensory nerve ending?

Action potential

Receptor potential

Generator potential (correct)

Threshold potential

What is the classification of sensations that arise from different parts of the body?

Somatic sensations Signup and view all the answers

Where is the 1st order neuron located in the somatic sensory pathway?

Outside the CNS Signup and view all the answers

At which order of neuron does crossing occur in the somatic sensory pathway?

2nd order neuron Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting mechanical stimuli such as touch and pressure?

Mechanoreceptors Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting changes in temperature?

Thermoreceptors Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting pain?

Nociceptors Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting light?

Photoreceptors Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensory receptor is responsible for detecting chemical changes in the body?

Chemoreceptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which a stimulus is transformed into an electrical response in a sensory receptor?

Signal Transduction Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensations does the Dorsal Column primarily carry?

Fine touch and pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sensation is NOT carried by the Ventral Spinothalamic Tract?

Vibration Signup and view all the answers

What type of sensation is carried by the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract?

Pain and temperature Signup and view all the answers

What type of receptors are NOT mentioned in the text?

Chemoreceptors Signup and view all the answers

Which pathway is responsible for transmitting sensations from the face?

Trigeminal nerve Signup and view all the answers

Where are the third-order neurons for the Dorsal Column pathway located?

Ventrobasal nuclei of the thalamus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Properties of Receptors

Muller's law states that each receptor responds to a specific stimulus, known as the adequate stimulus for that receptor.
Receptors exhibit excitability, which is the ability to respond to stimuli, producing a receptor or generator potential that is proportionate to the intensity of the stimulus.
Adaptation is a decrease in the frequency of discharge of action potentials in the afferent nerve under constant continuous stimulation of its receptors.

Somatic Sensations

Somatic sensations are feelings produced by changes in the environment or by the application of a stimulus to the receptors.
Somatic sensations are classified into two categories: special senses and general sensations, which include somatic sensations, organic sensations, and emotional sensations.

Somatic Sensory Pathways

Each sensory pathway is composed of three order neurons.
The first-order neuron is located in the posterior root ganglia outside the CNS.
The second-order neuron differs for each group of sensations, and its axons cross to the opposite side.
The third-order neuron is located in the ventrobasal nuclei of the thalamus.

The Sensory System

The sensory system consists of sensory receptors, neural pathways, and parts of the brain that process information.
Sensory receptors are specialized structures that receive stimuli from the external or internal environment and convert them into action potentials.
Receptors detect, transduce, and generate action potentials in afferent fibers.

Types of Receptors

Mechanoreceptors detect mechanical stimuli such as touch, pressure, stretching, and sound waves.
Thermoreceptors detect changes in temperature.
Pain receptors (nociceptors) detect pain.
Electromagnetic receptors (photoreceptors) detect light.
Chemoreceptors detect chemical changes in the body.

Somatic Sensory Pathways

The dorsal column pathway carries fine sensations such as touch, pressure, vibration, and stereognosis.
The anterolateral system pathway carries crude sensations such as pain, temperature, crude touch, and pressure.

The Dorsal Column and Spinothalamic Pathways

The dorsal column pathway involves first-order neurons in dorsal root ganglia, second-order neurons in gracile and cuneate nuclei, and third-order neurons in ventrobasal nuclei of the thalamus.
The spinothalamic pathway involves first-order neurons in dorsal root ganglia, second-order neurons in ipsilateral posterior horn cells of the spinal cord, and third-order neurons in ventrobasal nuclei of the thalamus.

Somatic Sensations from the Head

Somatic sensations from the face are transmitted by the trigeminal nerve, which has three branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular.
The ophthalmic branch transmits sensations from the upper part of the face and forehead.
The maxillary branch transmits sensations from the middle part of the face, the hard palate, and upper teeth and gums.

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Description

Test your understanding of the properties of receptors, including Muller's law and excitability. Learn about the adequate stimulus and receptor or generator potential in sensory nerve endings. Assess your knowledge of sensory physiology and neural responses.