Chapter 8 terms

Question 1

Sensory receptor organs

Answer 1

Organs specialized to detect a certain stimulus.

Question 2

Receptor cells

Answer 2

cells within the organ convert the stimulus into an electrical signal.

Question 3

Adequate stimulus

Answer 3

the type of stimulus to which a sensory organ is particularly adapted.

Question 4

Doctrine of Specific nerve energies

Answer 4

This idea says that receptors and neural channels for different senses are independent. Each sense uses a different “nerve energy”

Question 5

Concept of labeled lines

Answer 5

This idea says that the brain recognizes distinct senses because action potentials travel along separate nerve tracts.

Question 6

Sensory transduction

Answer 6

The conversion of electrical energy from a stimulus into a change in membrane potential in a receptor cell.

Question 7

Receptor potentials/generator potentials

Answer 7

Local changes in membrane potential.

Question 8

Pacinian corpuscle

Answer 8

A skin receptor that detects vibration. Stimulus to this receptor produces a graded electrical potential. When the potential is big enough, the receptor reaches threshold and generates an action potential.

Question 9

Coding

Answer 9

Patterns of action potentials in a sensory system that reflect a stimulus.

Question 10

Range fractionation

Answer 10

This takes place when different cells have different thresholds for firing over a range of stimulus intensities.

Question 11

Somatosensory system

Answer 11

system that detects body sensations, including touch and pain.

Question 12

Adaptation

Answer 12

The progressive loss of response to a maintained stimulus.

Question 13

Tonic receptors

Answer 13

These receptors show slow or no decline in action potential frequency.

Question 14

Phasic receptors

Answer 14

receptors display adaptation and decrease frequency of action potentials.

Question 15

Top down processing

Answer 15

when higher brain centers suppress some sensory inputs and amplify other.

Question 16

Receptive field

Answer 16

the space in which a stimulus will alter a neuron’s firing rate.

Question 17

Primary somatosensory cortex (S1)

Answer 17

Receives touch information from the opposite side of the body.

Question 18

Secondary somatosensory cortex (S2)

Answer 18

Cortex that maps both sides of the body in registered overlay.

Question 19

Polymodal cells

Answer 19

theses cells allow for intersensory interactions.

Question 20

Epidermis

Answer 20

outermost layer of skin also the thinnest.

Question 21

Dermis

Answer 21

middle layer of skin contains nerve fibers

Question 22

Hypodermis

Answer 22

innermost layer of skin; anchors muscles and helps shape body.

Question 23

Pacinia corpuscles

Answer 23

tactile receptor detects vibration, fast adapting.

Question 24

Meissner’s corpuscles

Answer 24

Tactile receptor, registers light touch, fast adapting. responds to edges

Question 25

Merkel's discs

Answer 25

A tactile receptor registers fine touch, slow-adapting responds to edges

Question 26

Ruffini's endings

Answer 26

A tactile receptor that registers stretch, slow adapting

Question 27

Dorsal column system

Answer 27

Part of the spinal cord that delivers touch info to the brain

Question 28

Dorsal column nuclei

Answer 28

Nuclei in the medulla where receptors send axons via the dorsal column of the spinal cord where they synapse.

Question 29

Dermatome

Answer 29

A strip of skin innervated by particular spinal nerve.

Question 30

Pain

Answer 30

An unpleasant experience associated with tissue damage.

Question 31

Nociceptors

Answer 31

Peripheral receptors that responspond to painful stimuli.

Question 32

Free nerve endings

Answer 32

these receptors in the dermis have specialized receptor proteins. They respond to temp changes, chemicals, and pain

Question 33

Capsaicin

Answer 33

The chemical that makes chili peppers "hot"

Question 34

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1)

Answer 34

The receptor that binds capsaicin | responds to high temps. on C fibers.

Question 35

Transient receptor potenial type M3 (TRPM3)

Answer 35

This receptor detects very high temperatures, does not respond to capsaicin, is found on Aδ fibers

Question 36

Aδ Fibers

Answer 36

large myelinated axons that register pain quickly.

Question 37

C Fiber

Answer 37

thin unmyelinated axons that conduct slowly, producing lasting pain.

Question 38

Cool-menthol receptor 1 (CMR1)

Answer 38

This receptor responds to menthol and to cool temperatures- located on C fibers.

Question 39

Natriuretic polypeptide B (Nppb)

Answer 39

Neurotransmitter that causes itch.

Question 40

Anterolateral/ spinothalamic system

Answer 40

This system transmits sensation of pain and temperature.

Question 41

Analgesia

Answer 41

The absence or reduction in pain sensation.

Question 42

Opiates

Answer 42

Drugst hat reduce pain.

Question 43

Opiods

Answer 43

Endogenous opiate-like peptides in the brain.

Question 44

Opiod receptors

Answer 44

Receptors that respond to opiates or opiods.

Question 45

Mu

Answer 45

An opioid receptor that relieves pain more effectively in men than in women

Question 46

Kappa

Answer 46

Opioid receptor that relieves pain more effectively in women.

Question 47

Periaqueductal gray (PAG)

Answer 47

An area in the midbrain involved in pain perception. Electricl stimulation of the PAG produces potent analgesia.

Question 48

Naloxone

Answer 48

An opiod antagonist that can block analgesic effect of opiates and placebos.