Overview of Special Senses Olfaction Gustation Flashcards
What are the special senses and where are they located?
The special senses are smell (olfaction), taste (gustation), vision, hearing (audition), and vestibular sensation. They are conveyed from specialized sensory organs located in discrete locations of the head.
How do special and general senses differ in terms of the stimuli they detect?
Special and general senses differ in the stimuli they detect. General senses involve the detection of touch, pain, and temperature, while special sensory neurons detect very specific stimuli such as light, sound waves, head movements, and chemicals that produce tastes and smells.
What is the structure of sensory receptors in special and general senses? How do they differ?
The structure of sensory receptors differs between special and general senses. Many special senses rely on receptors that are not neurons, while general sensory receptors are the receptive ends of sensory neurons. Olfaction is the only special sense that is an exception to this.
Where are the sensory nerves located for special and general senses?
Special sensory organs are confined to the head, and all information travels on axons of various cranial nerves. In contrast, general sensory information travels on axons of both cranial and spinal nerves.
What is sensory transduction and how does it work in general senses?
Sensory transduction in general senses involves neurons with specialized receptive endings to detect touch, temperature, or pain. Stimuli alter the resting membrane potential of sensory neurons to produce an action potential that reaches the Central Nervous System (CNS).
How does sensory transduction work in special senses?
Special senses also detect stimuli (light, chemicals, or sounds) and transduce them into action potentials. These are also propagated through axons of peripheral neurons to the CNS.
What is the only special sense that is an exception in terms of the structure of sensory receptors?
Olfaction is the only special sense that is an exception in terms of the structure of sensory receptors.
What types of stimuli do neurons involved in general senses detect?
Neurons involved in general senses detect stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain.
How do special senses detect stimuli and what happens after detection?
Special senses detect stimuli such as light, chemicals, or sounds, and transduce them into action potentials. These action potentials are then propagated through the axons of peripheral neurons to the CNS.
What is the role of the resting membrane potential of sensory neurons in sensory transduction?
The resting membrane potential of sensory neurons plays a crucial role in sensory transduction. When stimuli are detected, they alter the resting membrane potential of sensory neurons to produce an action potential that reaches the CNS.
How are stimuli processed in both general and special senses?
Stimuli in both general and most special senses are first processed by sensory nuclei and then transmitted to the thalamus and primary cortex areas for awareness and identification.
What is the role of the thalamus and primary cortex areas in sensory transduction?
The thalamus and primary cortex areas play a crucial role in sensory transduction by providing awareness and identification of the stimuli.
What happens to sensory signals in the association areas?
In the association areas, sensory signals are further interpreted and integrated.
What is the function of the olfactory system?
The olfactory system allows for the detection of odorants in the air and transduces them into signals perceived as odors.
Where is olfaction initiated and what are the three cell types involved?
Olfaction is initiated at the olfactory epithelium, a small region of specialized cells in the superior nasal cavity. The three cell types involved are olfactory neurons (olfactory receptor cells), basal cells, and supporting cells.
