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Questions and Answers
What is the main focus of sensory physiology?
What is the main focus of sensory physiology?
What are the five 'special' senses?
What are the five 'special' senses?
What is proprioception?
What is proprioception?
What type of stimuli does the visceral sense include?
What type of stimuli does the visceral sense include?
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What happens to the signal in the sensory neuron?
What happens to the signal in the sensory neuron?
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What happens if the signals are strong and frequent enough?
What happens if the signals are strong and frequent enough?
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What is the function of the central nervous system (CNS) in sensory physiology?
What is the function of the central nervous system (CNS) in sensory physiology?
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How are sensory receptors classified?
How are sensory receptors classified?
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What is an example of a simple sensor organ?
What is an example of a simple sensor organ?
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What is an example of a complex sensor organ?
What is an example of a complex sensor organ?
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What type of receptor detects painful stimuli?
What type of receptor detects painful stimuli?
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What is the process of converting a stimulus energy into a change in membrane potential?
What is the process of converting a stimulus energy into a change in membrane potential?
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What is the area that each neuron can receive information on?
What is the area that each neuron can receive information on?
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What type of receptor responds to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and vibration?
What type of receptor responds to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and vibration?
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What is the minimum amount of depolarization needed to trigger an action potential?
What is the minimum amount of depolarization needed to trigger an action potential?
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What is the condition of near-sightedness, in which objects up close are clear, but those in the distance appear blurry?
What is the condition of near-sightedness, in which objects up close are clear, but those in the distance appear blurry?
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What is the density of touch receptors in a given part of the body estimated by?
What is the density of touch receptors in a given part of the body estimated by?
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What type of receptor is activated by movement of the limbs?
What type of receptor is activated by movement of the limbs?
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What is the bending of light waves?
What is the bending of light waves?
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What is the condition of far-sightedness, in which objects in the distance are clear, but objects up close are blurry?
What is the condition of far-sightedness, in which objects in the distance are clear, but objects up close are blurry?
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What is the main reason why light waves focus behind the retina in hyperopia?
What is the main reason why light waves focus behind the retina in hyperopia?
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What is the purpose of the convex lens in hyperopia?
What is the purpose of the convex lens in hyperopia?
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What is the Snellen eye chart used to test for?
What is the Snellen eye chart used to test for?
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What does the first number in a Snellen chart measurement indicate?
What does the first number in a Snellen chart measurement indicate?
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What does 20/20 vision mean?
What does 20/20 vision mean?
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What does 20/200 vision mean?
What does 20/200 vision mean?
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What is the cause of astigmatism?
What is the cause of astigmatism?
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What is used to correct astigmatism?
What is used to correct astigmatism?
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What is the purpose of the circular spoke chart?
What is the purpose of the circular spoke chart?
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What is the difference between myopia and hyperopia?
What is the difference between myopia and hyperopia?
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The five 'special' senses are under subconscious control.
The five 'special' senses are under subconscious control.
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Sensory receptors can be classified based on their structure and function.
Sensory receptors can be classified based on their structure and function.
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Somatic stimuli include blood pressure and pH of cerebrospinal fluid.
Somatic stimuli include blood pressure and pH of cerebrospinal fluid.
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The central nervous system (CNS) processes subconscious sensory information.
The central nervous system (CNS) processes subconscious sensory information.
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The sensory receptor transduces the signal to a chemical signal.
The sensory receptor transduces the signal to a chemical signal.
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Efferent motor neurons are responsible for transmitting sensory information to the CNS.
Efferent motor neurons are responsible for transmitting sensory information to the CNS.
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Tactile corpuscles are an example of complex sensor organs.
Tactile corpuscles are an example of complex sensor organs.
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The process of sensory physiology involves only conscious processing.
The process of sensory physiology involves only conscious processing.
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Sensory receptors can respond to multiple types of stimuli.
Sensory receptors can respond to multiple types of stimuli.
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Action potentials are generated in the sensory receptor.
Action potentials are generated in the sensory receptor.
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Mechanoreceptors respond to painful stimuli.
Mechanoreceptors respond to painful stimuli.
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The two-point threshold test is used to estimate the density of chemoreceptors in a given part of the body.
The two-point threshold test is used to estimate the density of chemoreceptors in a given part of the body.
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The cornea is the principle part of the eye involved in refraction of light.
The cornea is the principle part of the eye involved in refraction of light.
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Nociceptors respond to chemicals that bind to the receptor such as O2, pH, and glucose.
Nociceptors respond to chemicals that bind to the receptor such as O2, pH, and glucose.
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Proprioreceptors are a type of mechanoreceptor.
Proprioreceptors are a type of mechanoreceptor.
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Cutaneous sensations are detected by sensory receptors in the ears.
Cutaneous sensations are detected by sensory receptors in the ears.
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Refraction is the bending of sound waves.
Refraction is the bending of sound waves.
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Hyperopia is the condition of near-sightedness.
Hyperopia is the condition of near-sightedness.
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The two-point threshold test is used to test visual acuity.
The two-point threshold test is used to test visual acuity.
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Mechanoreceptors respond to chemical stimuli such as O2, pH, and glucose.
Mechanoreceptors respond to chemical stimuli such as O2, pH, and glucose.
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With hyperopia, the light waves focus in front of the retina because the eyeball is too long.
With hyperopia, the light waves focus in front of the retina because the eyeball is too long.
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The convex lens bends the light a bit less to compensate for the short eyeball in hyperopia.
The convex lens bends the light a bit less to compensate for the short eyeball in hyperopia.
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The Snellen eye chart is used to test for hyperopia.
The Snellen eye chart is used to test for hyperopia.
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In a Snellen chart measurement, the first number tells you how far someone with normal vision would stand from the chart to read a given row of letters.
In a Snellen chart measurement, the first number tells you how far someone with normal vision would stand from the chart to read a given row of letters.
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20/20 vision is a sign of myopia.
20/20 vision is a sign of myopia.
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Instructor Jen with 20/200 vision can stand farther away from the chart than someone with normal vision to read the big 'E'.
Instructor Jen with 20/200 vision can stand farther away from the chart than someone with normal vision to read the big 'E'.
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Astigmatism is just an abnormality in the surface of your eye that causes normal refraction of light in one or the other planes.
Astigmatism is just an abnormality in the surface of your eye that causes normal refraction of light in one or the other planes.
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A circular lens cannot be used to correct astigmatism.
A circular lens cannot be used to correct astigmatism.
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The circular spoke chart is used to test for hyperopia.
The circular spoke chart is used to test for hyperopia.
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Myopia and hyperopia are the same condition.
Myopia and hyperopia are the same condition.
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Study Notes
Sensory Physiology
- Sensory physiology encompasses both conscious and subconscious processing.
- The five "special" senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and equilibrium) fall under conscious control.
- The lesser known conscious senses include the "somatic" senses (touch-pressure, temperature, pain, and proprioception).
- The subconscious senses include somatic stimuli and visceral stimuli.
Somatic Stimuli and Visceral Stimuli
- Somatic stimuli include muscle length and tension or force.
- Visceral stimuli include:
- Blood pressure
- pH and O2 content of blood
- pH of cerebrospinal fluid
- Lung inflation
- Osmolarity of body fluids
- Temperature
- Blood glucose
- Distention of the gastrointestinal tract
Afferent Sensory Pathways
- Afferent sensory pathways begin by sensing a stimulus (external or internal) via a sensory neuron.
- The sensory receptor transduces or changes the signal to an electrical graded signal.
- If the signals are strong and frequent enough, the neuron will reach threshold and produce action potentials.
- The central nervous system (CNS) will tell the efferent motor neuron to have an appropriate action.
Classification of Sensory Receptors
- Receptors can be classified structurally, regionally, or functionally.
- Examples of receptors include:
- Tactile (touch) corpuscles of the skin
- Eyes and ears
- Mechanoreceptors (respond to mechanical stimuli)
- Chemoreceptors (respond to chemicals)
- Baroreceptors (respond to blood pressure)
Sensory Terms and Concepts
Proprioreceptors
- A somatic sensory receptor activated by movement of the limbs
Nociceptor
- A receptor that detects painful stimuli
Chemoreceptor
- Responds to chemicals that bind to the receptor (e.g. O2, pH, glucose)
Mechanoreceptor
- Responds to mechanical stimuli (e.g. pressure, vibration, sound)
Receptive Field
- The area that each neuron can receive information on, which may vary in shape and overlap with neighboring receptive fields
Transduction
- The conversion of a stimulus energy into a change in membrane potential
Threshold
- The minimum amount of depolarization needed to trigger an action potential
Two-point Discrimination
- The ability to distinguish between two points of stimulation on the skin, dependent on the density of touch receptors in that area
Cutaneous Sensations
- Detected by sensory receptors in the skin
- Sent to the brain via sensory (afferent) neurons
- Interpreted within the somatosensory cortex of the parietal lobe
Touch Receptors
- A type of mechanoreceptor
- Respond to mechanical force created by pressure
- Density of touch receptors varies across different parts of the body
- Sensitive areas (e.g. fingertips) have a high density, while less sensitive areas (e.g. back of the leg) have a lower density
Refraction and Visual Acuity
- Refraction is the bending of light waves
- Light waves entering the eye must be focused on a specific point of the retina
- The lens and cornea are involved in refraction of light
Myopia and Hyperopia
- Myopia: near-sightedness, in which objects up close are clear, but those in the distance appear blurry
- Hyperopia: far-sightedness, in which objects in the distance are clear, but objects up close are blurry
- Can be treated with concave or convex lenses
Snellen Eye Chart
- Used to test for myopia
- Interpreting the values:
- First number: how far the person is standing from the chart
- Second number: how far someone with normal vision can stand to read the same row of letters
Sensory Physiology
- Sensory physiology encompasses both conscious and subconscious processing.
- The five "special" senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and equilibrium) fall under conscious control.
- The lesser known conscious senses include the "somatic" senses (touch-pressure, temperature, pain, and proprioception).
- The subconscious senses include somatic stimuli and visceral stimuli.
Somatic Stimuli and Visceral Stimuli
- Somatic stimuli include muscle length and tension or force.
- Visceral stimuli include:
- Blood pressure
- pH and O2 content of blood
- pH of cerebrospinal fluid
- Lung inflation
- Osmolarity of body fluids
- Temperature
- Blood glucose
- Distention of the gastrointestinal tract
Afferent Sensory Pathways
- Afferent sensory pathways begin by sensing a stimulus (external or internal) via a sensory neuron.
- The sensory receptor transduces or changes the signal to an electrical graded signal.
- If the signals are strong and frequent enough, the neuron will reach threshold and produce action potentials.
- The central nervous system (CNS) will tell the efferent motor neuron to have an appropriate action.
Classification of Sensory Receptors
- Receptors can be classified structurally, regionally, or functionally.
- Examples of receptors include:
- Tactile (touch) corpuscles of the skin
- Eyes and ears
- Mechanoreceptors (respond to mechanical stimuli)
- Chemoreceptors (respond to chemicals)
- Baroreceptors (respond to blood pressure)
Sensory Terms and Concepts
Proprioreceptors
- A somatic sensory receptor activated by movement of the limbs
Nociceptor
- A receptor that detects painful stimuli
Chemoreceptor
- Responds to chemicals that bind to the receptor (e.g. O2, pH, glucose)
Mechanoreceptor
- Responds to mechanical stimuli (e.g. pressure, vibration, sound)
Receptive Field
- The area that each neuron can receive information on, which may vary in shape and overlap with neighboring receptive fields
Transduction
- The conversion of a stimulus energy into a change in membrane potential
Threshold
- The minimum amount of depolarization needed to trigger an action potential
Two-point Discrimination
- The ability to distinguish between two points of stimulation on the skin, dependent on the density of touch receptors in that area
Cutaneous Sensations
- Detected by sensory receptors in the skin
- Sent to the brain via sensory (afferent) neurons
- Interpreted within the somatosensory cortex of the parietal lobe
Touch Receptors
- A type of mechanoreceptor
- Respond to mechanical force created by pressure
- Density of touch receptors varies across different parts of the body
- Sensitive areas (e.g. fingertips) have a high density, while less sensitive areas (e.g. back of the leg) have a lower density
Refraction and Visual Acuity
- Refraction is the bending of light waves
- Light waves entering the eye must be focused on a specific point of the retina
- The lens and cornea are involved in refraction of light
Myopia and Hyperopia
- Myopia: near-sightedness, in which objects up close are clear, but those in the distance appear blurry
- Hyperopia: far-sightedness, in which objects in the distance are clear, but objects up close are blurry
- Can be treated with concave or convex lenses
Snellen Eye Chart
- Used to test for myopia
- Interpreting the values:
- First number: how far the person is standing from the chart
- Second number: how far someone with normal vision can stand to read the same row of letters
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Description
Test your knowledge of sensory physiology, including special and general senses, conscious and subconscious processing, and various types of stimuli.
