Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Chapter 10 - Peripheral Nervous System (Afferent Division)
Chapter 10 - Peripheral Nervous System (Afferent Division)
16
Physiology
Undergraduate 2
07/02/2011

Additional Physiology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Name and describe two different pathways of the afferent division.
Definition
1. Visceral afferent pathway - carries information from the inner organs (heart, kidneys, upper digestive tract, etc.)

2. Somatic afferent pathway - either somatic sensation (skin) or proprioceptor (muscles, joints, skin); special senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell, balance)
Term
Differentiate between sensation and perception.
Definition
Sensation is the conscious awareness of changes in the interal and external environment.

Perception is the conscious interpretation of those stimuli.
Term
Where are the sensory receptors located?
Definition
The sensory receptors are structures at the peripheral endings of afferent neurons.
Term
Name the six different types of sensory receptors discussed in class.
Definition
1. Photoreceptors (light, photons)
2. Mechanoreceptors (touch, pressure, vibration, stretch, itch)
3. Thermoreceptors (fluctuations in temperature)
4. Osmoreceptor (solute concentrations)
5. Chemoreceptors (specific chemicals...smell, taste, O2, CO2)
6. Nociceptor (pain receptor)
Term
What is the function of photoreceptors?
Definition
detection of light, photons
Term
What is the function of mechanoreceptors?
Definition
Detection of touch, pressure, vibration, stretch, itch, etc.
Term
What is the function of thermoreceptors?
Definition
Detection of temperature fluctations
Term
What is the function of osmoreceptors?
Definition
Detection of solute concentrations
Term
What is the function of chemoreceptors?
Definition
Detection of specific chemicals (taste, smell, blood chemistry, O2, CO2)
Term
What is the function of nocireceptors?
Definition
Detection of pain
Term
What takes place once a receptor is stimulated?
Definition
The stimulus alters membrane permeability of the receptor, which leads to an influx of ions. This produces a receptor (generator) potential. This is just another graded potential. The magnitude of receptor potential indicates stimulus intensity.
Term
How is the intensity of a stimulus determined?
Definition
1. Determined by frequency of action potential; degree of receptor potential; the greater the receptor potential, the more frequent action potential.

2. Number of receptors activated; area of stimulation (think about face and back of legs)
Term
Name the two classes of adaptation.
Definition
Classifications are based on speed.
1. Tonic (slow) receptors include chemoreceptors that respond to chemical levels in the blood; pain receptors and proprioceptors doo not exhibit adatation

2. Phasic (fast) receptors adapt rapidly to pressure, touch, and smell; Pacinian corpuscle (mechanoreceptors) detect pressure and vibrations in the skin
Term
What is the speed of adaptation of each class of neuroadapters?
Definition
1. tonic adaptation (slow)
2. phasic adaptation (fast)
Term
Can proprioceptos adapt?
Definition
No; pain receptors and proprioceptors do not exhibit adaptation
Term
Can smell chemoreceptors adapt?
Definition
Yes
Supporting users have an ad free experience!