Lecture 23 - Somatic sensation

Question 1

What are the two types of senses?

Answer 1

Somatic and special

Question 2

What are somatic senses?

Answer 2

Senses detected by generalised receptors found throughout the body

Question 3

What are special senses?

Answer 3

Senses detected by a special/specific organ or structure

Question 4

What are the 4 key types of somatic sense receptors?

Answer 4

Mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, thermoreceptors, chemoreceptors

Question 5

What do mechanoreceptors sense?

Answer 5

Touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception

Question 6

What do nociceptors sense?

Answer 6

Noxious stimuli (pain)

Question 7

What do thermoreceptors sense?

Answer 7

Change in temperature

Question 8

What do chemoreceptors sense?

Answer 8

Chemicals

Question 9

What senses are considered ‘special senses’?

Answer 9

Vision, hearing, balance, taste, smell

Question 10

What is signal transduction in terms of somatic sensation?

Answer 10

When sensory receptors are activated, leading to the opening of ion channels and a change in membrane potential causing a receptor potential which will cause an action potential if the threshold is reached.