Chapter 2 Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the process called that translates stimuli into electrical signals for the brain?
Transduction
Transduction is the mechanism by which sensory stimuli are converted into neural signals.
Which sense occupies about 30% of the cerebral cortex?
Vision
Vision requires significant brain resources for processing visual information.
What are the three types of neurons found in the retina?
- Photoreceptors (rods and cones)
- Interneurons
- Ganglion cells
What role do rods play in vision?
Help with low-light vision
Rods are more sensitive to light and allow for vision in dim conditions.
What do cones in the retina detect?
Fine detail and color
Cones are responsible for color vision and high-resolution images.
What is the fovea?
A region in the retina densely packed with cones
The fovea provides sharp central vision.
What is macular degeneration?
Degeneration of photoreceptors in the macula
It is a major cause of blindness in older adults.
What do ganglion cells in the retina do?
Send visual data to the brain via the optic nerve
They compare light intensities to help detect contrast.
What are the two streams of visual processing in the brain?
- Dorsal (‘Where’) stream
- Ventral (‘What’) stream
What is strabismus?
Crossed eyes
Strabismus can impair depth perception due to misalignment.
What is the primary role of the cochlea in hearing?
Transduce sound into neural signals
The cochlea contains hair cells that convert sound vibrations.
How do hair cells in the cochlea process sound?
Bend when the membrane vibrates, opening ion channels
This bending converts mechanical movement into electrical signals.
What is the left brain primarily responsible for in terms of hearing?
Processing speech
Damage to this area can impair understanding without affecting hearing ability.
What is a leading cause of hearing impairment?
Hair cell loss
Research is focused on neurogenesis for potential treatments.
What are the five basic tastes detected by taste buds?
- Sweet
- Sour
- Salty
- Bitter
- Umami
How do olfactory neurons process smell?
They sense airborne molecules and send signals to the olfactory cortex
Olfactory signals bypass the thalamus.
What happens to taste perception when the nose is blocked?
Food tastes bland
Smell significantly contributes to flavor perception.
What is the somatosensory system responsible for?
Interpreting stimuli like pressure, temperature, and pain
It plays a crucial role in how we perceive touch.
What is two-point discrimination?
A measure of sensitivity in detecting close stimuli
Fingers can detect stimuli closer together than other body parts.
What are nociceptors?
Receptors that detect harmful stimuli
They are involved in the sensation of pain.
What can prolong pain sensitivity?
Inflammation
It can lead to conditions like neuropathic pain.
What treatments are available for pain management?
- Opioid therapy
- Electrical stimulation of the spinal cord
- Alternative therapies (meditation, hypnosis, cognitive behavioral therapy, cannabis)
