sensation and perception - read independently

Question 1

explain the pathway from the optic nerve to the brain

Answer 1

The optic nerve carries visual information from the retina to the brain, primarily through two main pathways:

1. Retinogeniculostriate Pathway: This is the primary pathway, where information travels from the optic nerve to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus, and then to the primary visual cortex (V1) in the occipital lobe. This pathway is responsible for conscious visual perception.
2. Retinohypothalamic Pathway: This pathway goes from the retina to the hypothalamus, specifically to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and plays a role in regulating circadian rhythms based on light exposure.

Question 2

what are feature detectors?

Answer 2

specialized neurons in the visual cortex that respond to specific features of visual stimuli, such as edges, angles, movement, and contrast. They help the brain identify and process various elements of a visual scene, allowing us to recognize shapes and patterns.

Question 3

What are the dorsal & ventral pathways?

Answer 3

1. Dorsal Pathway: Also known as the “where” pathway, this route extends from the primary visual cortex to the parietal lobe and is involved in processing spatial awareness and movement. It helps determine where objects are located and how to interact with them.

2.Ventral Pathway: Known as the “what” pathway, this route goes from the primary visual cortex to the temporal lobe, responsible for object recognition, identifying what objects are, and processing features like color and shape.

Question 4

What’s the difference between vision for perception & vision for action?

Answer 4

• Vision for Perception refers to how we use visual information to recognize and identify objects in our environment. It involves detailed processing and is linked to the ventral pathway.
• Vision for Action involves using visual information to guide actions and movements, such as reaching for or avoiding objects. It relies on the dorsal pathway and focuses on spatial relationships and movement.

Question 5

What are the details of the case study of DF?

Answer 5

DF suffered damage to her ventral pathway due to carbon monoxide poisoning, which impaired her ability to recognize objects (vision for perception) but allowed her to interact with them (vision for action). For example, while she could not identify a mailbox, she could still successfully post a letter into it. This case illustrates the distinction between the dorsal and ventral pathways, highlighting that perception and action can be dissociated in the brain.