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Sensory Neuroscience 316 > Introduction to Sensory Systems > Flashcards

Introduction to Sensory Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of sensory systems?

A

They allow us to

  • Perceive the world around us
  • Remain alert
  • Control our movements + Behaviour
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2
Q

What do sensory receptors detect in a stimulus?

A
  • Modality
  • Location
  • Duration
  • Intensity
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3
Q

What are the types of receptors?

A

Mechanoreceptors
Chemoreceptors
Thermoreceptors
Photoreceptors (EM)

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4
Q

What happens to receptor information?

A

It is conveyed to the brain via discrete neuronal pathways which determine the intensity, spatial and temporal features of the stimuli

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5
Q

How is the complexity of a stimulus detected?

A

The complex quality of stimuli requires INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITY of the higher processing centres in the brain.

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6
Q

How is sensory information processed?

A

Sensory information is processed in sequential relay nuclei of the spinal cord, brainstem, thalamus and cerebral cortex. Each of these relay stations transform the information to provide a unique sensory experience.

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7
Q

What does the sensory system consist of?

A

Sensory receptors
Neural pathways
The brain.

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8
Q

What do sensory receptors detect?

A

Changes of the internal and external environment.

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9
Q

What are receptors?

A

Highly specialised endings of afferent neurons that convert stimuli energy into afferent energy signals that convey information about the stimuli to the brain.

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10
Q

Does a receptor detect all stimuli?

A

No each receptor is specialised to a certain type of stimulus, except that a receptor can be activated by a non-specific stimulus if its intensity is sufficiently high.

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11
Q

What happens to stimulus energy?

A

It is converted by the receptor into a GRADED RECEPTOR POTENTIAL and this process is called STIMULUS TRANSDUCTION

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12
Q

What is the magnitude of the receptor potential is determined by?

A

The magnitude of the receptor potential is determined by:

  • Stimulus strength
  • Summation of receptor potentials
  • Receptor sensitivity
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13
Q

What can happen to a receptor with constant stimulation?

A

Adaptation.

This is when the sensitivity of a receptor is decreased due to prolonged stimulation.

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14
Q

What aspects of a stimulus are coded for?

A
  • Modality
  • Intensity
  • Location
  • Duration
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15
Q

How is modality determined?

A

Modality is determined by the type of stimulus and the receptor specialised to sensing that stimulus.

Each sensory pathway is specific to a modality

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16
Q

How is modality unique to an afferent neuron?

A

All receptors of a single afferent neuron are sensitive to the same stimuli (known as RECEPTOR SPECIFICITY) and therefore each afferent pathway is modality specific.

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17
Q

How does intensity influence receptor potential?

A

Increased stimulus = Large receptor potential, thus increased frequency of action potentials.

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18
Q

What is the effect of strong stimuli on receptor potential?

A

Stronger stimuli affect a larger area and recruit a larger number of receptors.

19
Q

What is the lowest level of intensity detection called?

A

SENSORY THRESHOLD

20
Q

How is stimulus location coded?

A

Stimulus location is coded by the site of the stimulated receptor (RECEPTIVE FIELD)

21
Q

The precision of the location of stimuli encoded by a receptor is called?

A

ACUITY

22
Q

What negatively correlates with acuity?

A

Acuity is negatively correlated with:

  • The amount of convergence in ascending pathways
  • Size of the receptive field
  • Overlap of receptive field with adjacent fields
23
Q

Where is receptor response highest?

A

Receptor response is highest in the centre of the receptive field since the receptor density is highest there.

24
Q

With regards to duration, what do receptors detect?

A

The onset and offset of stimuli

25
Q

What are the two types of receptors that act differently with the onset of a stimulus?

A

Rapid adapting receptors

Slow adapting receptors

26
Q

How do rapid adapting receptors respond to a stimulus?

A

They respond rapidly at the onset of a stimulus but slow down or stop firing during the remainder of the stimulus (fast adaptation)

27
Q

How do slow adapting receptors respond to a stimulus?

A

They maintain their response at or near the initial level of firing through the duration of the stimulus and are important in signalling slow changes.

28
Q

What comprises a sensory unit?

A

A single afferent neutron with associated receptor endings make a SENSORY UNIT

29
Q

The property of all receptors to detect a stimuli is called?

A

Receptive field and all receptors have one. - The space in which the receptor transduces stimuli.

30
Q

Where do afferent neurons connect to?

A

They enter the CNS and diverge, synapsing upon many interneurons.

31
Q

What is the name given to the afferent neuron and its CNS connections?

A

Ascending or sensory pathways.

32
Q

Are ascending pathways unique?

A

Yes they each code for a singe type of stimulus (modality)

33
Q

What is unique about the location of innervation of ascending pathways in the brain?

A

The innervation is in the contralateral hemisphere of the receptors location in the body.

Specifically the region of brain responsible for processing that information i.e. olfactory cortex etc.

34
Q

In the brain what processes ascending tract information?

A

Primary cortical sensory areas. Cortical association areas participate in more complex analysis of incoming information such as computing, memory, language, motivation, emotions etc.

35
Q

Can different sensory modalities be processed together?

A

This phenomenon is called MULTISENSORY INTEGRATION and improves the processing of sensory information for better localisation accuracy and reaction time. i.e visual and auditory somatosensory cues.

36
Q

Is our perception of a stimulus true to its physical properties?

A

No, Our perceptions differ qualitatively from the physical properties of the stimuli because the nervous system extracts only certain pieces of information from each stimulus while ignoring others.

37
Q

How are sensory networks organised?

A

They are organised in a hierarchal manner.

38
Q

What does a hierarchal manner mean?

A

Listen to the lecture if available or ask….

39
Q

What is a an example of impaired sensory function?

A

Sensory Processing Disorder

40
Q

What is sensory processing disorder?

A

Misinterpret everyday sensory information, such as touch, sound, and movement

41
Q

Who is mainly affected by SPD?

A

Children

42
Q

What are the types of SPD?

A
  • Sensory-avoiding children
  • Sensory-seeking children
  • Motor skills problems
43
Q

What are the consequences of SPD?

A

They often suffer from impaired self-esteem, anxiety, depression, or aggression, that affect social engagement.

Sensory Neuroscience 316 (32 decks)

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