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Question 1

how is a stimulus converted into and electrical AP?

Answer 1

specific sensory receptors

Question 2

how are AP’s transmitted?

Answer 2

specific sensory pathways

Question 3

what is a receptive field?

Answer 3

each neuron has a cluster of peripheral nerve branched, each with a nerve ending (receptor), the distribution of these defines the receptor field- vary
-some overlap

Question 4

describe the receptive fields in the arm

Answer 4

small in the periphery

large in trunk

Question 5

what is 2 point discrimination?

Answer 5

the ability to discern 2 separate mechanical stimuli

• measure of spatial resolution
• indication of receptive field size

Question 6

describe the transduction of a stimulus

Answer 6

stimulus -> change in receptor membrane permeability

• > influx of cations
• > depolarisation:receptor potential
• > AP

Question 7

how is stimulus intensity coded?

Answer 7

frequency of AP discharge
^ stimulus intensity= ^ AP frequency
(limit to max)
different receptors have dif thresholds depending on number of neurons activated

Question 8

how us stimulus duration coded?

Answer 8

duration of AP firing

Question 9

how is location coded?

Answer 9

receptor -> neural pathway -> brain location