lecture 16

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What is the main function of the receptors in the superficial layers of the skin?

To sense global properties of objects

To detect coarse spatial differences

To allow for fine tactile discrimination and reading Braille (correct)

To transmit information from a wide area of skin

How do the receptive fields of receptors in the deep layers of the skin differ from those in the superficial layers?

They can resolve finer spatial differences

They are larger and only resolve coarse spatial differences (correct)

They are smaller in diameter

They are better suited for accurate spatial localization

What is the relationship between two-point discrimination and the receptive field size of mechanoreceptors?

Two-point discrimination is not related to receptive field size

Larger receptive fields lead to better two-point discrimination

Smaller receptive fields lead to better two-point discrimination (correct)

Two-point discrimination varies independently of receptive field size

What is the two-point discrimination threshold on the fingertip compared to the arm?

The threshold is lower on the fingertip than the arm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how the receptors in the deep layers of the skin function?

They have large receptive fields and detect coarse spatial displacements Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the body has the highest density of touch receptors according to the text?

Face Signup and view all the answers

In the somatic sensory cortex, inputs from one type of receptor in specific body parts are organized in columns of neurons that run from the surface to where?

White matter Signup and view all the answers

Which regions of the body have much less densely innervated proximal portions, according to the text?

Feet and trunk Signup and view all the answers

In the somatic sensory cortex, inputs from rapidly adapting (RA) and slowly adapting (SA) receptors project to distinct columns of neurons in which area?

Area 3b Signup and view all the answers

What do alternating columns of neurons in area 3b receive inputs from according to the text?

Different layers of skin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about mechanoreceptors is true?

They are silent in the absence of tactile stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the specialized capsule surrounding certain mechanoreceptors?

To filter out non-mechanical stimuli. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the body has the smallest receptive fields for mechanoreceptors?

Fingertips, lips, and tongue Signup and view all the answers

How do thermal receptors respond to changes in temperature?

They modulate their firing as a function of temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal skin temperature at which cold and warmth receptors fire action potentials at a low rate?

34°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between thermal receptors and mechanoreceptors in terms of firing action potentials?

Thermal receptors fire action potentials at a steady rate based on sensed temperature. Signup and view all the answers

At what rate do cold receptors and warmth receptors fire action potentials when the skin temperature is normal?

2 spikes per second Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sensation is NOT recognized by humans according to the text?

Mild Signup and view all the answers

How do thermal receptors respond to changes in temperature?

They modulate their firing as a function of temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the thermal qualities of objects compared to other sensory perceptions?

They are uniquely somatosensory. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of warm receptors in the skin?

Warm receptors have a low firing rate at normal skin temperature and increase their firing rate as the skin temperature rises. Signup and view all the answers

How do the receptive fields of cold receptors in the skin differ from those of warm receptors?

Cold receptors have larger receptive fields than warm receptors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal skin temperature range at which cold and warm receptors in the skin fire action potentials at a low rate?

Cold and warm receptors fire at a low rate when skin temperature is between 30-35°C. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of thermal receptor in the skin is most sensitive to decreases in temperature?

Cold receptors Signup and view all the answers

How do thermal receptors in the skin respond to changes in temperature?

Thermal receptors fire action potentials at a low rate at normal skin temperature and increase their firing rate as the temperature rises or falls. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how the activity of cold and warmth receptors encodes skin temperature?

Cold receptors fire maximally at 25C and warmth receptors fire maximally at 45C, with firing rates decreasing as temperatures move away from these preferred values. Signup and view all the answers

How does the somatotopic representation of the body in the human cortex differ from the actual topography of the skin?

The cortical representation exaggerates the size of larger body parts and compresses the size of smaller body parts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the amount of cortical area devoted to representing a particular body region in the somatosensory cortex?

The relative importance of the body region for sensory perception. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference in how cold and warmth receptors respond to changes in temperature?

Cold receptors fire maximally at a preferred temperature and show weaker responses as temperature deviates from that value, while warmth receptors fire maximally across a wide range of temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

lecture 16

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of the receptors in the superficial layers of the skin?

How do the receptive fields of receptors in the deep layers of the skin differ from those in the superficial layers?

What is the relationship between two-point discrimination and the receptive field size of mechanoreceptors?

What is the two-point discrimination threshold on the fingertip compared to the arm?

Which of the following best describes how the receptors in the deep layers of the skin function?

Which part of the body has the highest density of touch receptors according to the text?

In the somatic sensory cortex, inputs from one type of receptor in specific body parts are organized in columns of neurons that run from the surface to where?

Which regions of the body have much less densely innervated proximal portions, according to the text?

In the somatic sensory cortex, inputs from rapidly adapting (RA) and slowly adapting (SA) receptors project to distinct columns of neurons in which area?

What do alternating columns of neurons in area 3b receive inputs from according to the text?

Which of the following statements about mechanoreceptors is true?

What is the function of the specialized capsule surrounding certain mechanoreceptors?

Which part of the body has the smallest receptive fields for mechanoreceptors?

How do thermal receptors respond to changes in temperature?

What is the normal skin temperature at which cold and warmth receptors fire action potentials at a low rate?

What is the main difference between thermal receptors and mechanoreceptors in terms of firing action potentials?

At what rate do cold receptors and warmth receptors fire action potentials when the skin temperature is normal?

Which type of sensation is NOT recognized by humans according to the text?

How do thermal receptors respond to changes in temperature?

What is unique about the thermal qualities of objects compared to other sensory perceptions?

Which of the following best describes the function of warm receptors in the skin?

How do the receptive fields of cold receptors in the skin differ from those of warm receptors?

What is the normal skin temperature range at which cold and warm receptors in the skin fire action potentials at a low rate?

Which type of thermal receptor in the skin is most sensitive to decreases in temperature?

How do thermal receptors in the skin respond to changes in temperature?

Which of the following best describes how the activity of cold and warmth receptors encodes skin temperature?

How does the somatotopic representation of the body in the human cortex differ from the actual topography of the skin?

What is the primary factor that determines the amount of cortical area devoted to representing a particular body region in the somatosensory cortex?

What is the main difference in how cold and warmth receptors respond to changes in temperature?

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