nervous system pt 2 (sensation, perception, nerves, etc.) Flashcards
(169 cards)
sensation
the awareness of a stimulus through sensors; information from the environment will be translated into electrical messages called action potentials
perception
the conscious interpretation, organization, and meaning of the stimulus and this occurs within the cerebrum
what are sensory receptors based on?
the type of stimulus they detect, the location in the body, and the structural complexity
two types of general senses
somatic and visceral senses
difference between general senses and special senses
general senses are those that are distributed throughout the body and have receptor cells within the structure of other organs (somatic or visceral), while special senses are those that have a specific organ devoted to them (ex. ear, nose, etc.)
somatic senses
all tactile senses (touch), pain, and proprioception that detect mechanical stimuli
what are somatic senses associated with?
mechanial stimuli
visceral senses
conscious/subconscious sensation of internal organs that is associated with autonomic function
special senses
olfaction, taste, vision, hearing, equilibrium, and balance
first-order neurons
initial sensory receptors that receive impulses from the skin and preceptors (sensory receptors) and branch diffusely as they enter the spinal cord or medulla oblongata; here they will synapse with second-order neurons
how do first-order neurons synapse with second-order neurons?
first-order neurons will synapse with second-order neurons in the cuneate or gracile nuclei of the medulla oblangata; second-order neurons will then travel to the thalamus
how do second order neurons synapse with third order neurons?
second order neurons will synapse with third in the thalamus and extend to the the somatosensory cortex
3 types of interactions with first-order neurons
free nerve endings, encapsulated nerve endings, and specialized receptor cells
free nerve endings
the dendrites of first-order neurons are exposed directly to the surrounding tissue of the environment without any specialised receptor structure; the bare endings will detect the stimulus directly
what are free nerve endings typically associated with?
detecting pain, temperature, and some light touch
encapsulated endings of first-order neurons
these types are wrapped in a specialised CT and this modifies the sensitivity of the neuron, allowing it to detect specific types of mechanical stimulus more effectively
examples of encapsulated endings
pacinian corpuscles and meissner’s corpuscles
specialised receptor cells
here, the neurons do not directly interact with the external environment, instead they form synapses with specialised receptor cells which will first detect the stimulus and then release neurotransmitters that will activate the first-order neurons; associated with all special senses
example of specialised receptor cells
all special senses; ex. receptor cells such as gustatory (taste) receptors that will release acetylcholine, serotonin and norepinephrine
interceptor
a type of sensory receptor that detects and responds to stimuli from within the body (internal viscera, tissues, and blood vessels) rather than the external environment
function of interceptors
to maintain homeostasis and visceral sensation through responding to internal conditions such as blood pressure, temperature changes, chemical compositions, and stretching of internal organs
examples of interoceptors
baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and stretch receptors
exteroreceptor
sensory receptors that respond to stimuli arising outside of the body and are located on or near the body’s surface; associated with all special senses and all skin senses
functions of exteroceptors
to detect external stimuli and sensory perception to process sensory information such as touch, temperature, pain, and pressure