Sensation And Perception

Question 1

Perception

Answer 1

The processing of information to make sense of its significance

Question 2

Sensory receptors

Answer 2

Neurons that respond to stru uni and trigger electrical signals

Question 3

Ganglia

Answer 3

Collection of neuron cell bodies found outside of the CNS

Question 4

Once transduction occurs, what happens to the electrical chemical energy ?

Answer 4

It is sent along neural pathways to various projection areas in the brain, which further analyze the sensory input

Question 5

Photoreceptors

Answer 5

Respond to electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum (sight)

Question 6

Hair cells

Answer 6

Respond to movement of fluid in the inner ear structures (hearing, rotational and linear acceleration)

Question 7

Nociceptors

Answer 7

Respond to painful or noxious stimuli (somatosensation)

Question 8

Thermoreceptors

Answer 8

Respond to changes in temperature (somatosensation)

Question 9

Osmoreceptors

Answer 9

Respond to osmolarity of the blood (water homeostasis)

Question 10

Olfactory receptors

Answer 10

Respond to volatile compounds (smell)

Question 11

Taste receptors

Answer 11

Respond to dissolved compounds (taste)

Question 12

Threshold

Answer 12

The minimum amount of stimulus that renders a difference in perception

Question 13

(3) types of threshold

Answer 13

Absolute threshold
Threshold of conscious perception
Difference threshold

Question 14

Absolute threshold

Answer 14

The minimum of a stimulus energy that is needed to activate a sensory system

Question 15

Threshold of conscious perception

Answer 15

The minimum of stimulus energy that will create s signal large enough in size and long enough in duration to be brought into awareness

Question 16

The difference between the absolute threshold and the threshold for conscious perception is:

Answer 16

A stimulus below the absolute threshold will not be transduced, and thus never reaches the central nervous system

Question 17

Difference threshold or just-noticeable difference (jnd)

Answer 17

Minimal difference in magnitude between two stimuli before one can perceive this difference

Question 18

Weber’s law

Answer 18

States that the jnd for a stimulus is proportional to the magnitude of the stimulus and that this proportion is constant over most of the range of possible stimuli

In the MCAT it simply amounts to applying a ratio
(1000 Hz and 1006.8 Hz (0.68% of 1000 Hz)

Question 19

Signal detection theory

Answer 19

The effects of non sensory factors (such as experiences, motives and expectations) on perception of stimuli

Question 20

Signal detection theory allows us to explore _______

Answer 20

Response bias

Question 21

Response bias refers to ?

Answer 21

The tendency of subjects to respond to a stimulus in a particular way due to nonsensory factors

Question 22

Signal detection experiment consists of:

Answer 22

Many trials
During each trial, a stimulus (signal) may or may not be present

Signal not presented = noise trial
Signal present = catch trial

4 possible outcomes:
Hit: subject correctly perceived the signal
Misses: subject fails to perceive s given signs,
False alarms: subject seems to perceive a signal when non was given
Correct negatives: subject correctly identifies that no signal was given

Question 23

Adaptation

Answer 23

A decrease in response to a stimulus over time

Question 24

Pathway for a stimulus to reach conscious perception?

Answer 24

Sensory receptor ➡️ afferent neuron ➡️ sensory ganglion ➡️ spinal cord ➡️ brain

Question 25

Sensation

Answer 25

The conversion or transduction of physical, electromagnetic, auditory and other information for the internal and external environment into electrical signals in the nervous system

Performed by receptors in the PNS