flynn 1

Question 1

The process where external energy (e.g., light, sound, pressure) is detected by sensory organs and converted into electrical (neural) signals. What is this?

Answer 1

sensation

Question 2

What is this? Our interpretation of those neural signals

Answer 2

perception

Question 3

Difference between sensation and perception?

Answer 3

Sensation is the raw input; perception is the brain’s understanding of it.

Question 4

Sensory systems process vast types of sensations by encoding them into four key pieces of information:

Answer 4

modality, intensity, location, timing

Question 5

Light detected by the eyes, pressure detected by skin. This is an example of?

Answer 5

sensation

Question 6

Interpreting vibrations as a specific sound or pressure as texture. This is an example of?

Answer 6

perception

Question 7

An optical illusion (like the Kanizsa Triangle) is perceived as a complete shape, even though the sensation does not fully match. What does this explain

Answer 7

the difference between sensation and perception

Question 8

modality means

Answer 8

type of energy

Question 9

Refers to the type of stimulus detected by the sensory receptor (e.g., light, sound, pressure). What type of information is this?

Answer 9

modality

Question 10

Different receptor types are specialized for specific modalities:

Mechanoreceptors: Detect touch, pressure, and vibration.
Thermoreceptors: Detect changes in temperature.
Photoreceptors: Detect light.
Chemoreceptors: Detect chemicals (e.g., taste and smell).

Answer 10

mechano: touch, pressure, vibration
thermo: temp
photo: light (sight)
chemo: chemicals (taste and smell)

Question 11

Refers to the spatial mapping of the stimulus to specific sensory receptors. Which type of information is this

Answer 11

location

Question 12

____ Principle:
Each receptor has a specific neural pathway leading to a specific part of the brain.

Example: Stimulation of the retina sends signals to the visual cortex.

Answer 12

Labeled Lines

Question 13

Encodes the strength of the stimulus (e.g., brightness of light, loudness of sound). This refers to what type of information?

Answer 13

Intensity

Question 14

Stronger stimuli produce ____ firing rates.

Answer 14

higher

Question 15

More receptors are activated with ____ stimuli.

Answer 15

stronger

Question 16

Encodes when a stimulus starts and stops. What piece of information is this?

Answer 16

Timing

Question 17

Duration Perception determines:
Temporal Patterns involved:

Answer 17

length of a stimulus, like sound
rhythmic vibrations

Question 18

Mechanism of Transduction for mechanoreceptors is
Mediated by ____ ion channels

Answer 18

stretch activated

Question 19

mechanoreceptor transduction steps

What are the 2 steps?

Answer 19

Mechanical deformation (e.g., pressure) opens ion channels.
Allows ions (e.g., Na⁺, Ca²⁺) to flow, generating an electrical signal.

Question 20

Mechanoreceptors in the Pacinian Corpuscles
Location:

Answer 20

Deep in the dermis.

Question 21

Function of mechanoreceptors in Pacinian Corpuscles:

Answer 21

Detect vibration and deep pressure.
Rapidly adapting (fires only at the onset and offset of stimuli).

Question 22

Specialized Structure in pacinian corpuscles:

Answer 22

onion-like layers around the nerve ending enhance sensitivity to rapid changes.

Question 23

Mechanoreceptors in the Ruffini Endings
Location: ____
Function:
____ and ____
____ adapting (maintains response as long as the stimulus is present).

Answer 23

deep in dermis

detect skin stretch, info about limb position and object shape

slow adapting

Question 24

Mechanoreceptors in the Meissner’s Corpuscles
Location: ____.
Function:
____ and ____
____ adapting (responsive to changes in touch).

Answer 24

surface of skin
detect light touch, texture
rapidly adapting

Question 25

Mechanorecpetors in Merkel Discs
Location: ____.
Function:
____
____ adapting (fires continuously during the stimulus).

Answer 25

superficial
detect pressure and texture
slow adapting

Question 26

Mechanoreceptors - Free Nerve Endings (____)

Function:
____

Types:
Mechanical: ____
Thermal: ____
Chemical: ____

Answer 26

nociceptors, detect pain

physical change, extreme hot or cold, ph change or chemical irritant

Question 27

Receptive Field:

The specific area of the body or sensory space that a ____.

Smaller receptive fields → ____ spatial resolution (e.g., ____).
Larger receptive fields → ____ resolution (e.g., ____).

Answer 27

a receptor responds to
higher, fingers
lower, back

Question 28

Two-Point Threshold:

The ____ perceive them as separate points.

Dependent on ____:
High density → ____ threshold (e.g., ____).
Low density → ____ threshold (e.g., ____).

Answer 28

The minimum distance between two stimuli required to perceive them as separate points.

receptor density
small - hands
large - back

Question 29

Rapidly adapting receptors signal ____, while slow-adapting receptors signal ____.

Answer 29

changes, sustained stimuli

Question 30

Neural Pathways for Mechanoreception
____ (DRG):

Primary ____ neurons located near the ____.
Receive input from receptors and relay signals to the central nervous system.

____:

Regions of the ____ innervated by specific ____ nerves.
Useful in diagnosing ____ injuries.

Answer 30

dorsal root ganglion
sensory, spinal cord

dermatomes, skin, spinal, spinal

Question 31

clinical application - disease

Loss of fine touch due to nerve damage or dermatomal pain in ____.

Answer 31

shingles

Question 32

Incorporating ____ in prosthetics to mimic natural touch sensation is an application of use

Answer 32

mechanoreceptors

Question 33

Illusions:

Perception can be influenced by ____
Examples:
Kanizsa Illusion: ____.
Laurel vs. Yanny: ____
Pre-existing States:

Attention, mood, or fatigue can alter perception without ____ sensation.

Answer 33

prior expectations or experiences

Perceiving a triangle where none exist
Auditory perception influenced by frequency emphasis.

changing