Special Senses Lecture 1 Flashcards
What are receptors in the senses characterized by?
The type of energy used to activate them
What do Mechanoreceptors recognize?
Hearing, balance and touch
What do Thermoreceptors recognize?
Temperature
What do Chemoreceptors recognize?
Taste and smell
What do Photoreceptors recognize?
Vision
What do Osmoreceptors recognize?
Osmolarity of body fluids
What do Nociceptors recognize?
Pain
What occurs in sensory perception?
Energy from the outside world is converted in to a form that the body can understand: Electrochemical
What is the Adequate Stimulus?
When sensory endings respond to a particular type of energy applied to them
What is Primary Transduction Process?
When energy applied to a sensory receptor is converted into electrochemical energy
What is involved in the Primary Transduction process of the Visual system?
Photons of light are converted to a change in membrane potential
What is involved in the Primary Transduction process of the Hearing system?
Air pressure waves in air is converted to the bending of hair
What is a Generator Potential?
A non-propagated, graded potential that is usually depolarizing and recorded from a sensory nerve
What is the magnitude of a generator potential propotional to?
The strength of the stimulus
What is do we need to know to determine how many stimuli can be discriminated?
The range of the sensory system
What is the range in wavelength that humans can detect light?
Between 390 and 700 nm
What is the Sclera?
The tough white fibrous part of the eye
What is the Cornea?
The clear covering of the eye
What is a Conjunctiva?
A thin protective membrane covering the eye
What is the Cornea continuous with?
The sclera
What is the most important part of the light focusing power of the eye?
The Cornea
What is the Cornea important for?
Light focusing power of the eye
What sits behind the Cornea?
The Anterior Chamber
What is the Anterior Chamber filled with?
Aqueous humor