Sensory Coding: Converting Stimuli to Sensations

What is the primary function of sensory coding?

Converting a receptor stimulus to a recognizable sensation (correct)
Regulating the intensity of sensory stimuli
Processing sensory information in the spinal cord
Transmitting energy signals to the brain

What is the term for the type of energy transmitted by a stimulus?

Intensity
Location
Modality (correct)
Duration

Which of the following is an example of an adequate stimulus?

Pressure on the eyeball
Light on the rods and cones in the eyes (correct)
Light on the skin
Sound on the eardrum

What is the term for the spatial distribution from which a stimulus produces a response in a sensory unit?

Receptive field (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the representation of senses in the skin?

Punctate (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a single sensory axon and all its peripheral branches?

Sensory unit (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the response of sensory receptors to forms of energy other than their adequate stimuli?

Higher threshold (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the threshold of sensory receptors to their adequate stimuli?

Lower than normal (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of lateral inhibition in sensory perception?

To enhance the contrast between the center and periphery of a stimulated area (A) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the intensity of sensation in mechanoreceptors?

The amplitude of the stimulus applied to the receptor (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasing the stimulus strength on the receptors?

More receptors are activated and the impulse frequency increases (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the receptor potential in a mechanoreceptor as a greater pressure is applied to the skin?

It increases in magnitude (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of receptors with the lowest thresholds in sensory perception?

They are the first to be activated by weak stimuli (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the overlap and interdigitation of sensory units?

More sensory fibers fire in response to the stimulus (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying mechanism of two-point discrimination?

Lateral inhibition (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the amplitude of the stimulus and the frequency of action potentials in a single axon?

The frequency of action potentials increases as the amplitude of the stimulus increases (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of increasing the number of afferent pathways activated?

An increase in intensity of sensation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the frequency of action potentials in a sensory nerve when a constant strength stimulus is maintained?

It declines over time (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the decline in frequency of action potentials in a sensory nerve over time?

Receptor adaptation (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can receptors be classified based on their adaptation?

As phasic or tonic receptors (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following receptors are examples of rapidly adapting receptors?

Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of receptor adaptation for an individual?

It has some value to the individual (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of receptors are muscle spindles and nociceptors?

Slowly adapting receptors (A) Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if input from nociceptors adapted rapidly?

The warning provided by pain would be lost (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of receptor adaptation for maintaining posture?

It is necessary for maintaining posture (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it beneficial that light touch does not persist?

It is distracting if persistent (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the rate of adaptation for an individual?