Sensory System Basics

The sensory system is formed by a series of neurons that link the body's periphery to the central nervous system.
The sensory system is responsible for perceiving classical senses, body movements, pain, and other non-conscious modalities such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, and carbon dioxide levels.

All sensory systems are organized in a similar manner, based on four principles:
- Hierarchical organization: neurons in lower levels of the CNS connect to neurons in higher levels, with higher levels producing more abstract representations of the information.
- Parallel organization: sensory information is transmitted through different pathways that converge on higher-level neurons, allowing for redundancy and preservation of information.
- Topographical organization: each level of the CNS maintains a spatial representation of the body, with higher levels integrating information from multiple sensory modalities.
- Perceptual differences: the selection of information from the environment is influenced by higher-level processes, such as attention and memory.

The processing of sensory information involves four stages:
1. Transduction: the conversion of physical energy into electrical signals by sensory receptors.
2. Transmission: the transmission of electrical signals from the sensory receptors to the CNS.
3. Processing: the processing of sensory information in the CNS, involving integration and abstraction of the information.
4. Perception: the interpretation of the processed information, influenced by memory, attention, and experience.

Sensory stimuli have four main characteristics:
- Modality: the type of sensory information, such as vision, audition, or touch.
- Intensity: the strength of the sensory stimulus.
- Duration: the length of time the stimulus is present.
- Location: the location of the stimulus on the body.

Receptors are specialized sensory cells that convert physical energy into electrical signals.
Transduction is the process of converting physical energy into electrical signals.
There are different types of receptors, such as mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and nociceptors.
The law of Stevens relates the intensity of the stimulus to the frequency of action potentials.

Adaptation is a process of adjustment to a sensory stimulus, resulting in a decrease in response to the stimulus.
Habituation is a process of central nervous system adaptation, where the individual learns to ignore a stimulus.
Adaptation is a receptor-based process, while habituation is a CNS-based process.

The somatosensory system is responsible for processing touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception (position and movement) information.
The system includes mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, thermoreceptors, and proprioceptors.
The somatosensory system is organized in a hierarchical manner, with higher levels integrating information from multiple receptors.
The system is responsible for perceiving the external world and the body's internal state.

Receptors have different characteristics, such as:
- Adaptation rate: the rate at which the receptor adjusts to a stimulus.
- Response duration: the length of time the receptor responds to a stimulus.
- Response intensity: the strength of the response to a stimulus.
- Response pattern: the pattern of response to a stimulus.

Sensory pathways are the routes by which sensory information is transmitted from the periphery to the CNS.
The pathways are organized in a hierarchical manner, with higher levels integrating information from multiple pathways.
The pathways are responsible for transmitting information from the sensory receptors to the CNS.

Somatotopy is the organization of the sensory system in a spatial representation of the body.
The organization is based on the density of receptors in different areas of the body.
The somatotopy is responsible for perceiving the body's external and internal state.

Sensory integration is the process of combining information from multiple sensory modalities.
The integration is responsible for perceiving the external world and the body's internal state.
The integration is influenced by higher-level processes, such as attention and memory.

Sensory systems are organized based on four principles: hierarchical organization, parallel organization, topographical organization, and perceptual differences.

Sensory information processing involves four stages: transduction, transmission, processing, and perception.

Sensory stimuli have four main characteristics: modality, intensity, duration, and location.

Receptors are specialized sensory cells that convert physical energy into electrical signals.
Transduction is the process of converting physical energy into electrical signals.
There are different types of receptors, such as mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and nociceptors.
The law of Stevens relates the intensity of the stimulus to the frequency of action potentials.

Adaptation is a process of adjustment to a sensory stimulus, resulting in a decrease in response to the stimulus.
Habituation is a process of central nervous system adaptation, where the individual learns to ignore a stimulus.
Adaptation is a receptor-based process, while habituation is a CNS-based process.

The somatosensory system processes touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception (position and movement) information.
The system includes mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, thermoreceptors, and proprioceptors.
The somatosensory system is organized in a hierarchical manner, with higher levels integrating information from multiple receptors.

Receptors have different characteristics, such as adaptation rate, response duration, response intensity, and response pattern.

Sensory pathways are the routes by which sensory information is transmitted from the periphery to the CNS.
The pathways are organized in a hierarchical manner, with higher levels integrating information from multiple pathways.

The sensory system is formed by a series of neurons that link the body's periphery to the CNS.
The sensory system is responsible for perceiving classical senses, body movements, pain, and other non-conscious modalities.