Psyc323 Test 1 Flashcards
What are the six other senses
Temperature
Motion
Balance
Pain
Chemical
Proprioception
What defines a sense
A group of sensory cells that respond to a specific physical phenomenon, and that corresponds to a particular region of the brain
When did the study of senses start
19th century
What did otto Loewi (1873-1961) study
Some neurons are excitatory, whereas some are inhibitory e.g warm and cool (capsaicin and menthol)
What did Otto loewi propose?
That neuron transmission are chemical based instead of electrical
Electrophysiological methods
Single-cell recording (feeding an animal something sweet/sour and recording reaction in the brain)
Absolute thresholds definition
The minimum energy that can be detected by a sensory modality
The minimum energy that can be detected by a sensory modality
Absolute thresholds
JND (just noticeable difference)
Minimum energy required to be perceived differently in intensity .
Minimum energy required to be perceived differently in intensity .
JND (just noticeable difference)
What are the three classical psychological methods used for measuring detection thresholds or JND?
Methods of limits
Method of constant stimuli
Method of adjustment
Method of Limits
stimuli 1,2,3,4… present ascending/descending order
Tell me when you detect → “Now”
Method of Constant Stimuli
Stimuli 1,2,3,4… present a set of stimuli multiple times,
random order
Do you detect? Yes / No {i.e., random order of tones at
different sound levels}
Define Fechner’s law
as the physical intensity of a stimulus increases geometrically, the perceived intensity increases arithmetically
Define Steven’s law
a psychophysical theory that describes the relationship between the intensity of a stimulus and the perceived intensity of the sensation it creates
When do specialised taste cells develop
As early as 7 or 8th week of gestation
When do Structurally mature taste buds develop
13-15 weeks
What are taste receptors stimulated by
Chemicals in amniotic fluid
How many Taste qualities are there?
And name them
5, sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami
Where are taste buds located
within small, but visible, structures known as papillae.
Filiform (papillae)
Upper surface of tongue (no taste bud)
Fungiform (papillae)
> 100 on each side of tongue. 2-4 taste buds each.
Foliate (papillae)
Groove on side of tongue. Several 100 taste buds.
Circumvallate (papillae)
~7 in V-shape in back of tongue. Several hundred taste buds each.
What type of taste receptors sense salt
Type I & II
How many classes of taste receptor cells (TRC) are there?
3
Describe type 1 of taste receptors cells
Detects low salt
Describe type 2 of taste receptors cells
Detects high salt, sweet, bitter, umami and kokumi
Describe type 3 of taste receptors cells
Detects sour
What does kokumi translate to?
Richness of food
What does the Chorda tympani nerve do?
conducts signals from the front and sides of the tongue, and from the fungiform papillae in particular.
What does the Glossopharyngeal nerve do
conducts signals from the back of the tongue.
What does the Vagus nerve do
conducts signals from taste
receptors in the mouth and larynx.
What is the gustatory system direction
Brain stem nuclei, thalamus, primary taste cortex (insula), secondary taste cortex (OFC)
Describe labelled line hypothesis
individual TRCs encode a
single taste quality and synapse with afferent fibres that are also dedicated to that quality
Define the combinatory model
information is transmitted by
combinatorial activity in multiple fibres. Overall
combination of fibres activated encodes the taste quality.
Explain why there is a Long debate about where exactly is the primary taste
cortex.
- Taste hardly occurs by itself
- Only 5-10% of neurons in the primate primary taste area respond to taste
- Neuro imaging studies use different methods, not necessarily engage taste
Define Ageusia
total loss of taste (rare)
Define Hypogeusia
decreased sensitivity to taste (age, zinc or vitamin B3
deficiency)
Define Hypergeusia
increased sensitivity to taste (Addison’s)
Define Dysgeusia
unpleasant sensitivities (Cancer)
Define orthonasal
Inspiration via the nose
Define retronasal
Via the mouth during consumption
With pathway of olfaction is through the nose
Orthonasal
With pathway of olfaction is through the mouth
Retronasal
Describe the olfaction pathway
- Ororants bind to receptors
- Olfactoryreceptor cells are activated and send electric signals
- The signals are relayed in glomeruli
- The signals are transmitted to higher regions of the brain
Define olfactory epithelium
a specialized tissue lining the roof of the nasal cavity, containing olfactory receptor neurons that detect odor molecules and transmit signals to the brain, enabling the sense of smell
What are olfactory receptor cells
specialized neurons in the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity that detect odor molecules and transmit this information to the brain, enabling the sense of smell.
Population coding (olfactory)
refers to how the brain represents odor information through the coordinated activity of groups of neurons, rather than individual neurons, allowing for more efficient and complex odor perception and discrimination.
Specificity coding (olfactory)
individual odorants are recognized by specific combinations of activated olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), each ORN expressing a particular odorant receptor, allowing the brain to distinguish between a vast array of smells.
Define odour threshold
Lowest concentration of a chemical in air that people can detect
Explain Olfactory sensitivities
depends on the odours (different
odour receptors are expressed in diff species)
Define Anosmia
total loss of the sense of smell – VERY rare
Define Hyposmia
Declined ability to detect smells
Define Parosmia
A change in normal perception of smell
(good->bad)
Define Phantosmia
presence of smell when it isn’t there.
Define Specific anosmia
Some people with an otherwise
normal sense of smell are unable to detect families of
similar smelling compounds.
What olfactory disorder is this an example of, total loss of the sense of smell – VERY rare
Anosmia
What olfactory disorder is this an example of, Declined ability to detect smells
Hyposmia
What olfactory disorder is this an example of, A change in normal perception of smell
(good->bad)
Parosmia
What olfactory disorder is this an example of, presence of smell when it isn’t there.
Phantosmia
What olfactory disorder/ phenomenon is this an example of, Some people with an otherwise
normal sense of smell are unable to detect families of
similar smelling compounds.
Specific anosmia
Olfactory percepts are _______ drivers of
approach/avoidance behaviour
Strong
What are two examples of Detection of environmental cues (Olfactory Functions)?
Avoidance and approach
What is an example of avoidance (Olfactory Functions)
Smoke, poison, rot
What is an example of approach (Olfactory Functions)
Food, shelter, mate for reproduction
Define Macrosmats
animals with a highly developed sense of smell, like dogs
Humans can discriminate more than _________
olfactory stimuli – Bushdid et al. (2014)
1 trillion
Humans ______ many species at identifying
certain odours.
outperform
Wallace (1977) – Humans can identify male vs. female humans by smell with ___% accuracy
75%
Mitro et al. (2012) – Human can identify younger/middle aged/older humans by smell.
Which age group was rated as better smelling?
Older people
List the three Olfactory Functions
- Detection of environmental cues
- Identification
- Communication
Define pheromones
Refers to a non-volatile chemical or a mixture of chemicals released to the exterior by an organism that causes one or more specific reactions in a receiving individuals of the same species
Refers to a __________ chemical or a mixture of chemicals
released to the exterior by an organism that causes one
or more specific reactions in a receiving individuals of
the ____________.
Non-volatile, same species
Where is Pheromone signalling located
Located in the anteroinferior portion of the nasal septum, just above the roof of the mouth
The human VNO (vomeronasal organ) is probably a _________ with a non-operational sensory function
vestigial organ
Mammals (maybe not us?) send and receive pheromones which refers to a non-volatile chemical or a mixture of chemicals
released to the exterior by an organism that causes one
or more _________ in a receiving individuals of
the same species.
specific reactions
True or false, there is NO evidence of functional pheromone receptor cells in
adult humans!
True
Define Odour memories
vivid and emotionally charged recollections triggered by specific smells, often accessing memories from long ago
Explain the “Proust effect”
Autobiographical memories activated by the senses, particularly smell and taste
What are the three Classical Psychophysical DATA COLLECTION Methods
Method of adjustment
Method of limits
Method of constant stimuli
sensation involves:
a. Activation of sensory receptor cells (which are specialised depending on modality)
b. An input signal that eventually travels in an ascending manner towards the brain
c. Transduction of stimulus energy to neural signals
d. All of the above
A. All of the above
Perception involves:
A. Processes that transmit and integrate different forms of neural activity
B. Very little processing beyond that of raw sensations
C. Distinct processes which can be easily identified as separable for the different sensations
D. Only bottom-up, data-driven processes and no cognitive processes
A. Processes that transmit and integrate different forms of neural activity
Modern day approaches to perception are usually consistent with the theoretical view of:
A. Monism
B. Psychophysics
C. Nano Particles
D. Dualism
A. Monism
Many of our perceptions affect our actions through:
A. Cerebellum reflexes
B. Telepathy
C. Memories, feelings and thoughts; often called top-down processes
D. Backward sensation processes that are measurable
C. Memories, feelings and thoughts; often called top-down processes
What is Fechner’s Law and how is it applied in psychology?
A. Fechner’s law describes the relationship between the physical magnitude of a stimulus and its perceived intensity
B. It is a formula for calculating synaptic strength
C. It describes the neural processing of visual stimuli only
D. It applies exclusively to pain perception
A. Fechner’s law describes the relationship between the physical magnitude of a stimulus and its perceived intensity
In what structure are the majority of taste buds found?
A. Papillae
B. Neurons
C. Nerve endings
D. Soft pallet
A. Papillae
Which of the following is incorrect?
A. Humans are born disliking bitter tasting food
B. there are three types of taste receptor cells
C. Humans are born liking sweet tasting food
D. Infants have less taste buds than adults
D. Infants have less taste buds than adults
Taste papillae are supplied by a number of nerves. Which nerves conducts signals from the back of the tongue?
A. Chorda tympani nerve
B. Vagus nerve
C. Accessory Nerve
D. Glossopharyngeal nerve
D. Glossopharyngeal nerve
What are the three classical psychophysical methods?
A. Method of Limits, Constant stimuli and adjustment
B. Method of Limits, size and stimuli
C. Magnitude estimation, EEG and Absolute threshold
D. EEG, MRI, MEG
A. Method of Limits, Constant stimuli and adjustment
If an experimenter presents a set of stimuli multiple times in a random order and asks you whether you detect the stimuli or not, this would be a example of which classical psychophysical method?
A. Method of adjustment
B. Method of limits
C. Method of constant stimuli
D. Magnitude estimation
C. Method of constant stimuli
Starting from the brainstem, where does gustatory information travel to (in ascending order)
A. Hypothalamus - Prefrontal cortex - Amygdala
B. Thalamus - insula - Orbitofrontal cortex
C. Hypothalamus - insula - cingulate cortex
D. Thalamus - Nucleus tractus solitarius - tongue
B. Thalamus - insula - Orbitofrontal cortex
The buildup of which ion in the cell triggers the release if a Neurotransmitter
A. Mg++
B. K+
C. Na++
D. Ca++
D. Ca++
Which anatomical structure/brain region is considered the primary olfactory cortex?
A. Hippocampus
B. Piriform Cortex
C. Orbitofrontal Cortex
D. Insular cortex
B. Piriform Cortex
What type of coding involves a small number of olfactory receptors interacting with numerous odourants in various combinatorial patterns?
A. Individual coding
B. Specificity coding
C. Population/combination coding
D. Threshold coding
C. Population/combination coding
Which pathway describes odor perception when food aroma reaches olfactory receptors through the mouth?
A. Nasal-pharyngael
B. Orthonasal
C. Retronasal
D. Anosmic
C. Retronasal
What is the correct sequence of events describing how odorant molecules are processed by the olfactory system, ultimately leading to odor perception?
A. Signals relayed in glomeruli → odorants bind to receptors → olfactory receptor cells activated → signals transmitted to higher brain regions.
B. Odorants bind to olfactory receptors → olfactory receptor cells generate electrical signals → signals are relayed in glomeruli → signals transmitted to higher brain regions.
C. Olfactory receptor cells activated → odorants bind to receptors → signals transmitted directly to higher brain regions → signals relayed in glomeruli.
D. Odorants bind to receptors → signals relayed in glomeruli → olfactory receptor cells activated → signals transmitted directly to higher brain regions.
B. Odorants bind to olfactory receptors → olfactory receptor cells generate electrical signals → signals are relayed in glomeruli → signals transmitted to higher brain regions.
According to Porter et al. (2007), humans can:
a. Only detect strong odors
b. Follow outdoor scent trails with zigzagging behavior
c. Rarely exhibit scent-tracking behavior
d. Detect fewer odors than dogs
b. Follow outdoor scent trails with zigzagging behavior
Short-term adaptation to odor typically stabilizes after how long?
a. 15-30 seconds
b. 5 seconds
c. 1-2 minutes
d. 5-10 minutes
c. 1-2 minutes
Which Olfactory disorder involves perceiving a smell that isn’t there?
a. Hyposmia
b. Parosmia
c. Anosmia
d. Phantosmia
d. Phantosmia
Which of the following statements is FALSE?
a. The Hippocampal formation is a relay to/from other brain regions
b. Different patterns of activated glomeruli represent distinct smells
c. Olfactory liking/disliking is dependent on several individualistic factors including genetics, exposure, and culinary experience.
d. Olfactory receptor cells are long, narrow, column shaped cells
a. The Hippocampal formation is a relay to/from other brain regions
Describe rejection threshold
the point or level at which something is deemed unacceptable or fails to meet a certain standard, leading to its rejection
