Sensory System Flashcards
What are Sensory Receptors
Specialized neurons or other cells that are turned to the conditions of the external world or internal organs
Sensory receptors trigger what
action potential
Where does sensory receptors send information?
the central nervous system
What is Transduction?
sensory receptor responds to stimulus and converts it to a nerve impulse
What is perception
conscious awareness
What is translation?
DNA translating impulse into sensation
Where does Conduction travel
from receptor in the sense organ to CNS
How do we sense taste?
food molecules bond to specific protein molecules embedded in taste receptor cell membrane which triggers a signal transduction pathway
What is Receptor potential?
Changes in flow of ions which changes membrane potential in sensory in sensory receptor cells
If a stimulus is stronger will the receptor potential be greater or lesser?
greater
What does receptor potential result in?
signals passing into the central nervous system
What is the receptive field in the brain?
the stimulus region
What is the size of the receptive field measured by?
2 point discrimination test
What is the 2 point discrimination test
ability to see if two points touching the skin are two distinct points
What are the 5 specialized sensory receptors?
Pain Receptors
Thermoreceptors
Mechanoreceptors
Chemoreceptors
Electromagnetic receptors
What is the purpose of Pain Receptors?
Detect dangerous stimuli such as high heat and pressure
What do Thermoreceptors respond to?
Responds to temperature variations ; thermo = thermometer = temp
What is Mechanoreceptors sensitive to?
physical environments; generates action potentials in response
What are Chemoreceptors responsible for?
sensing specific substances in the environment; respond to chemicals
What do Electromagnetic receptors respond to?
Electricity, magnetism, light
What are the 5 General (somatic) senses?
Temperature
Touch
Pain
Pressure
Body Position
What are the 5 Special Senses?
Smell
Taste
Hearing
Vision
Equilibrium
What does the Dermis consist of?
tony nerve endings which provide on what your body contacts
Where does information of touch go after the Dermis?
Information from Dermis is carried on spinal cord to the brain
What is sensory adaptation
a reduction in sensitivity to a stimulus after constant exposure to it
What receptor does taste and smell depend on the detect?
Chemoreceptors! They detect specific chemicals in the environment
Where are taste receptors located?
On the taste buds of the tongue
True or False: As you age your ability to taste changes?
True! As a baby you have taste receptors on sides and roof of your mouth and as you age those disappear and taste buds slowly become less sensitive
What is your sense of smell dependent on?
olfactory cells located in olfactory epithelium
True or False: Olfactory bulbs have direct connections to the limbic system?
True!
What is the Tympanic Membrane?
A tightly stretched membrane across the entrance to the middle ear that vibrates when struck by sound
What can be causes of outer ear damage
puncture in tympanic membrane
born with damaged ear canal
swimmers ear
What can cause damage to the middle ear
Loud sudden noises
trauma to the head
Bacteria build-up
What does the Inner ear note the change of?
Notes the changes of energy as the sound waves come through each part of ear
What does the ear convert air pressure waves into?
action potentials that are perceived as sound
What does the pressure waves transmitted to the fluid of the cochlea do>
bends cilia in the organ of Corti against the basilar membrane and triggers nerve signals to the brain
What does frequency measure
the cycle rate of the physical waveform
what does pitch measure
how high or low sounds are when you hear them
What is the pathway of sound?
Into the outerear -> waves strike the tympanic membrane causing vibrations -> waves cause ossicles vibration -> fluid movement stimulates cilia
What is the cause of vertigo?
the conflicting signals between the inner ear and eyes
What are photoreceptors?
light detector cells
Where are compound eyes found?
insects and crustaceans
What are the two evolutions of eyes?
Compound
Single-lens eyes
Where does light enter the eye?
the pupil
Where is light focused onto?
the retina; consists of many photoreceptor cells
Where is the location of eyes on a Herbivore
sides of head; wider field of vision, be aware of all surroundings
Where is the location of eyes on Carnivores?
front of eyes; better depth perception; increased accuracy
What are the two protections we have for our eyes?
Conjunctiva and the Lactimal
Where is the conjunctiva?
Lines the inner surface of the eyelids
Where is the Lacrimal?
Gland above the eye that secretes tears
What is the outermost layer of the eye; tough whitish layer of connective tissue
the Sclera
What is the cornea
the front of the eye, where the sclera becomes transparent
What does sclera surround
The choroid; the pigmented layer containing the iris and ciliary muscle
