CHAPTER 10 HW QUESTIONS:

1. Identify the components common to all sensory systems.

Visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, interoception.

2. In basic terms, describe the range of complexity seen in sensory receptors in the human

body. (Fig. 10.1)

Sensory receptors vary widely in complexity, ranging from the branched endings of a

single sensory neuron to complex nonneural cells that act as sensors. The simplest

sensory receptors consist of a neuron with naked (“free”) nerve endings

In more complex receptors, the nerve endings are encased in connective tissue

The axons of both simple and complex neural receptors may be myelinated or

unmyelinated

3. Name the four major groups of receptors and describe the stimuli that activate each

receptor type. (Tbl. 10.2) Transduction: conversion of a signal from one modality

(stimulus energy) to another (information processed by nervous system).

Adequate stimulus: form of energy to which a particular receptor is most responsive.

Threshold: (1) minimum depolarization that will initiate an action potential in the trigger

zone; (2) minimum stimulus required to set a reflex response in motion.

Receptor potential: change in sensory receptor membrane potential is a graded potential

4. Define threshold. What happens in a sensory neuron if a stimulus is above threshold?

The minimum stimulus required to activate a receptor is known as the threshold. If the

stimulus is above threshold, action potentials pass along a sensory neuron to the CNS,

where incoming signals are integrated. Some stimuli pass upward to the cerebral cortex,
 where they reach conscious perception, but others are acted on subconsciously, without

our awareness.

5. Name four attributes of stimuli that must be preserved during nervous system processing.

(1) its nature, or modality, (2) its location, (3) its intensity, and (4) its duration.

6. Why is there such a strong link between smells and emotions? Info about odors travels

from the nose through the first cranial nerve and olfactory bulb to the olfactory cortex in

the cerebrum. Most people have experienced encountering a smell that suddenly brings

back a flood of memories of places or people from the past

7. What is the VNO, and what is its function? Do humans have a VNO?

accessory olfactory structure linked to pheromone reception in rodents. Anatomical and

genetic studies in humans suggest that humans do not have a functional VNO but

experiments with compounds believed to act as human pheromones support the

hypothesis that humans may communicate with chemical signals

8. List the five taste sensations and briefly describe the stimuli that trigger them.

(1) sweet, (2) sour (acid), (3) salty, (4) bitter, and (5) umami. Each of the 5 taste

sensations is associated with a physiological process. Sour taste is triggered by the

presence of H+; salty by the presence of Na+. Conc. of H+ and Na+ are closely regulated

as they play important role in pH balance + ECF vol. Sweet, bitter, + umami result from

organic molecules. Sweet and umami are associated with nutritious food.

Bitter taste is recognized by the body as a warning of possibly toxic components

9. Distinguish between type I (support) cells, type II (receptor) cells, and type III

(presynaptic) cells. Is there communication between the different cell types?

 The type I cell is a complex branched cell with multiple cytoplasmic plates that are

greatly attenuated and relatively devoid of organelles; these plates represent the gas

exchange surface in the alveolus. On the other hand, the type II cell acts as the

"caretaker" of the alveolar compartment. The type III cell has two distinctive features that

are not present in other lung epithelial cells: a microvillous brush border and bundles of

fine filaments.

10. What is specific hunger? Give an example.

craving for a particular substance, such as salt. Salt appetite – representing a lack of Na+ in

the body; directly related to Na+ conc.

Extra Practice:

1. In basic terms, describe the range of complexity seen in sensory receptors in the human

body. (Fig. 10.1)

Sensory receptors vary widely in complexity, ranging from the branched endings of a

single sensory neuron to complex nonneural cells that act as sensors.

2. Name the four somatosensory modalities.

pain, temperature, head and body position.

3. Explain how lateral inhibition enhances contrast, allowing better localization of stimuli.

(Fig. 10.5)

Lateral inhibition, which increases the contrast between activated receptive fields and

their inactive neighbors, is another way of isolating the location of a stimulus

4. How does the brain determine which part of the body is sending sensory information?

How can this be confirmed experimentally?

Some sensory information goes directly into the brain stem via the cranial nerves.

Experimental stimulation of that area of the cortex during brain surgery is interpreted as a

touch to the hand, even though there is no contact.

5. Name four attributes of stimuli that must be preserved during nervous system processing.

(1) its nature, or modality, (2) its location, (3) its intensity, and (4) its duration.

6. Name two ways stimulus intensity is coded. (Fig. 10.6)

# of receptors activated, + (2) frequency of action potentials coming from receptors.

7. Where are touch receptors found?

Found in skin and deeper regions of the body