27 Questions
What is the primary function of sensory coding?
Converting a receptor stimulus to a recognizable sensation
What is the term for the type of energy transmitted by a stimulus?
Modality
Which of the following is an example of an adequate stimulus?
Light on the rods and cones in the eyes
What is the term for the spatial distribution from which a stimulus produces a response in a sensory unit?
Receptive field
What is the characteristic of the representation of senses in the skin?
Punctate
What is the term for a single sensory axon and all its peripheral branches?
Sensory unit
What is the response of sensory receptors to forms of energy other than their adequate stimuli?
Higher threshold
What is the characteristic of the threshold of sensory receptors to their adequate stimuli?
Lower than normal
What is the primary function of lateral inhibition in sensory perception?
To enhance the contrast between the center and periphery of a stimulated area
What determines the intensity of sensation in mechanoreceptors?
The amplitude of the stimulus applied to the receptor
What is the effect of increasing the stimulus strength on the receptors?
More receptors are activated and the impulse frequency increases
What happens to the receptor potential in a mechanoreceptor as a greater pressure is applied to the skin?
It increases in magnitude
What is the role of receptors with the lowest thresholds in sensory perception?
They are the first to be activated by weak stimuli
What is the result of the overlap and interdigitation of sensory units?
More sensory fibers fire in response to the stimulus
What is the underlying mechanism of two-point discrimination?
Lateral inhibition
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
What is the result of increasing the number of afferent pathways activated?
An increase in intensity of sensation
What happens to the frequency of action potentials in a sensory nerve when a constant strength stimulus is maintained?
It declines over time
What is the term for the decline in frequency of action potentials in a sensory nerve over time?
Receptor adaptation
How can receptors be classified based on their adaptation?
As phasic or tonic receptors
Which of the following receptors are examples of rapidly adapting receptors?
Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles
What is the significance of receptor adaptation for an individual?
It has some value to the individual
What type of receptors are muscle spindles and nociceptors?
Slowly adapting receptors
What would happen if input from nociceptors adapted rapidly?
The warning provided by pain would be lost
What is an advantage of receptor adaptation for maintaining posture?
It is necessary for maintaining posture
Why is it beneficial that light touch does not persist?
It is distracting if persistent
What is the significance of the rate of adaptation for an individual?
It has some value to the individual
Learn about the process of sensory coding, where a receptor stimulus is converted into a recognizable sensation. Discover how sensory systems code for modality, location, intensity, and duration of a stimulus.
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