4.5 The Body Senses: More Than Skin Deep

Question 1

Haptic Exploration

Answer 1

The active exploration of the environment by touching and grasping objects with our hands

We use sensory receptors in our muscles, tendons, and joints as well as a variety of receptors in our skin to get a feel for the world around us

Question 2

How do Touch Receptors work?

Answer 2

Specialized sensory neurons form distinct groups of haptic receptors that detect pressure, temperature, and vibrations against the skin.

Question 3

Where do sensory signals on the body travel to?

Answer 3

Somatosensory Cortex

Question 4

What are Thermoreceptors?

Answer 4

Nerve fibres that sense cold and warmth, respond when your skin temperature changes

Question 5

What are the different types of Touch Receptors?

Answer 5

Texture/Pattern

Pain

Pressure

Vibration (low/high frequency)

Question 6

What is Referred Pain?

Answer 6

Feeling of pain when sensory information from internal and external areas converges on the same nerve cells in the spinal cord

ex: One common example is a heart attack: Victims often feel pain radiating from the left arm rather than from inside the chest

Question 7

What’s the Gate-Control Theory of Pain?

Answer 7

A theory of pain perception based on the idea that signals arriving from pain receptors in the body can be stopped, or gated, by interneurons in the spinal cord via feedback from two directions

ex: Rubbing your stubbed toe activates neurons that “close the gate” to stop pain signals from traveling to the brain

Question 8

How do humans maintain balance?

Answer 8

Vestibular System; The three fluid-filled semicircular canals and adjacent organs located next to the cochlea in the inner ear

Vision also helps us maintain balance, referencing vertical orientation

Question 9

A-Delta Fibres

Answer 9

Transmit the initial sharp pain one might feel right away from a sudden injury (fast)

Question 10

C Fibres

Answer 10

Transmit the longer-lasting, duller pain that persists after the initial injury (slow)

Question 11

What is the relationship between A-Delta and C Fibres?

Answer 11

If you were running barefoot outside and stubbed your toe against a rock, you would first feel a sudden stinging pain transmitted by A-delta fibres that would die down quickly, only to be replaced by the throbbing but longer-lasting pain carried by C fibres