Somatosensation

Question 1

Sensory Adaptation

Answer 1

is change over time of receptor to a constant stimulus – down regulation of a sensory receptor in the body

Question 2

Amplification

Answer 2

is up regulation. Opposite of sensory adaptation.

Question 3

Somatosensory Homunculus

Answer 3

A map of your body in your brain. Information all comes to the “sensory strip”. It is a topological map of the entire body in the cortex. Different areas of the body have signals that go to different parts on this strip.

Question 4

Proprioception

Answer 4

balance/position
Tiny little receptor/sensor (known as a spindle) located in our muscles sends signals that go up to spinal cord and to the brain.

Spindle has a protein that is sensitive to stretching.

Sensors contract with muscles – so we’re able to tell how contracted or relaxed every muscle in our body is.

Cognitive awareness of your body in space. Subconscious. Not always thinking about it.

Question 5

Kinaesthesia

Answer 5

is talking about movement of the body. Kinaesthesia is more behavioural.

o You teach yourself how to move to successfully complete the task at hand.
o Ex: “If I move in this direction, I will hit the baseball.”

Question 6

nociception.

Answer 6

Ability to sense Pain

Question 7

thermoception

Answer 7

Ability to sense temperature

Question 8

Both temperature and nociception are slow or fast?

Answer 8

slow

Question 9

In order for us to sense temperature, we rely on what receptor

Answer 9

TrypV1 receptor.

also sensitive to pain.

Question 10

3 types of nerve fibres

Answer 10

fast, medium, slow. [Acronym: fast to slowest alphabetically A-B, A-D, C]

o A-beta fibres - Fast ones are thick and covered in myelin (less resistance, high
conductance)
o A-delta fibres -– smaller diameter, less myelin.
o C fibres - small diameter, unmyelinated (lingering sense of pain).