Touch and the Chemical Senses

Question 1

Somesthetic System

Answer 1

Detects facets of the environment that you can physically feel

Question 2

Sensory system

Answer 2

Most receptors are in the skin

Receptors in muscle tendons and joints (as well as skin) provide proprioception of our limbs

Question 3

Somatosensory cortex

Answer 3

Processing area of the brain for these signals

Question 4

Absolute thresholds

Answer 4

Small amount need to feel

can tell us the amount/magnitude of touch required for someone to detect it

Question 5

Two-point thresholds

Answer 5

Tell the difference between 2 or felt as one

can tell us how precise our sense of touch is across the body (i.e. how much information we can derive)

Question 6

Temperature sensitivity

Answer 6

almost perfect temporal and spatial summation over large areas
We are not accurate at locating hot and cold stimuli on our bodies

Question 7

Perception of pain

Answer 7

Unlike touch and temperature, pain thresholds show little temporal or spatial summation
You either feel pain or you don’t

Question 8

Taste

Answer 8

The stimulus is molecules of substances dissolved in our saliva

Question 9

Smell

Answer 9

The stimulus is molecules of substances that reach the nose