Lab 11: Human Sensory Systems Flashcards
The human sensory system is comprised of two types of senses:
Somatic and special
__________ are specialized cells, or clusters of cells, that send information via afferent pathways to the brain.
Receptors
Five basic types of sensory receptors:
Mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, electromagnetic receptors, thermoreceptors, and pain receptors
Mechanoreceptors detect mechanical energy such as:
Pressure, touch, and sound
Human __________ contains large numbers of mechanoreceptors.
Skin
Chemoreceptors detect changes in chemical concentrations such as:
Smell and taste
Changes in __________ such as blood glucose levels are also detected by chemoreceptors.
Homeostasis
Electromagnetic receptors detect electromagnetic energy such as:
Light and electricity
__________ contains electromagnetic receptors.
Eyes
Thermoreceptors detect:
Heat and cold
Thermoreceptors located in the __________ detect changes in core body temperature and maintain thermoregulation.
Hypothalamus
Pain receptors are free nerve endings that detect:
Harmful conditions
Pain receptors are located both in:
The skin and within certain internal organs
All receptors perform the __________ function.
Same
Somatic senses are associated with:
Skin, muscle, viscera, and joints
Somatic senses are comprised of:
Mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, and pain receptors
Special senses are a product of:
Cephalization
The special senses are comprised of:
Electromagnetic sensors, chemoreceptors, and mechanoreceptors
Some receptors become less __________ if stimulus is constantly present.
Sensitive
Some receptors become less sensitive if stimulus is constantly present. These types of receptors are __________.
Phasic
The decreased responsiveness of the receptors is called:
Sensory adaptation
Receptors that either do not adapt to continuous stimulation or adapt very slowly are:
Tonic
__________ __________ are generally tonic in nature.
Pain receptors
Occur throughout the epidermis and are sensitive to light touch.
Meissner’s corpuscles
Occur in the deep subcutaneous tissue of the hands, feet, genitals, tendons, muscles, etc. and are sensitive to heavy touch and vibration.
Pacinian corpuscles
