Responding To Sensory Stimuli

Question 1

Responding to sensory stimuli

Answer 1

Step 1- The sensory stimuli is registered
• the sensory receptors in the part of the body in contact with a sensory stimulus register sensory information, eg such as the sensor receptors of an individual’s hand register the pain of hot water.

Step 2- the sensory information is integrated
•sensory neural messages are initiated in the peripheral nervous system. These messages are sent along the sensory neural pathways of the peripheral ns, via the spinal cord to be integrated by the brain.
Eg the sensory neural messages of pain from the hand travel to the brain via the spinal cord

Step 3- a motor response is coordinated
• the brain coordinates a conscious motor response, and initiates it by sending motor neural messages out to the peripheral NS via the spinal cord.
Eg the brain has registered the need to move the hand away from the heat source, and then initiates a response to move the hand

Step 4- a Response occurs
•The skeletal muscles receive the motor message, and respond accordingly, eg the skeletal muscles of the hand register the motor message and move