Lab 11: Human Sensory Systems

Question 1

The human sensory system is comprised of two types of senses:

Answer 1

Somatic and special

Question 2

__________ are specialized cells, or clusters of cells, that send information via afferent pathways to the brain.

Answer 2

Receptors

Question 3

Five basic types of sensory receptors:

Answer 3

Mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, electromagnetic receptors, thermoreceptors, and pain receptors

Question 4

Mechanoreceptors detect mechanical energy such as:

Answer 4

Pressure, touch, and sound

Question 5

Human __________ contains large numbers of mechanoreceptors.

Answer 5

Skin

Question 6

Chemoreceptors detect changes in chemical concentrations such as:

Answer 6

Smell and taste

Question 7

Changes in __________ such as blood glucose levels are also detected by chemoreceptors.

Answer 7

Homeostasis

Question 8

Electromagnetic receptors detect electromagnetic energy such as:

Answer 8

Light and electricity

Question 9

__________ contains electromagnetic receptors.

Answer 9

Eyes

Question 10

Thermoreceptors detect:

Answer 10

Heat and cold

Question 11

Thermoreceptors located in the __________ detect changes in core body temperature and maintain thermoregulation.

Answer 11

Hypothalamus

Question 12

Pain receptors are free nerve endings that detect:

Answer 12

Harmful conditions

Question 13

Pain receptors are located both in:

Answer 13

The skin and within certain internal organs

Question 14

All receptors perform the __________ function.

Answer 14

Same

Question 15

Somatic senses are associated with:

Answer 15

Skin, muscle, viscera, and joints

Question 16

Somatic senses are comprised of:

Answer 16

Mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and pain receptors

Question 17

Special senses are a product of:

Answer 17

Cephalization

Question 18

The special senses are comprised of:

Answer 18

Electromagnetic sensors, chemoreceptors, and mechanoreceptors

Question 19

Some receptors become less __________ if stimulus is constantly present.

Answer 19

Sensitive

Question 20

Some receptors become less sensitive if stimulus is constantly present. These types of receptors are __________.

Answer 20

Phasic

Question 21

The decreased responsiveness of the receptors is called:

Answer 21

Sensory adaptation

Question 22

Receptors that either do not adapt to continuous stimulation or adapt very slowly are:

Answer 22

Tonic

Question 23

__________ __________ are generally tonic in nature.

Answer 23

Pain receptors

Question 24

Occur throughout the epidermis and are sensitive to light touch.

Answer 24

Meissner’s corpuscles

Question 25

Occur in the deep subcutaneous tissue of the hands, feet, genitals, tendons, muscles, etc. and are sensitive to heavy touch and vibration.

Answer 25

Pacinian corpuscles