Deck 10: Sensory Physiology

Question 1

With the exception of olfaction, all sensory pathways first travel to the ________, which acts as a relay and processing station.

A) cerebrum
B) thalamus
C) cerebellum
D) hypothalamus
E) medulla oblongata

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The two-point discrimination test

A) is used to determine clarity of vision.
B) provides information about olfactory receptors.
C) provides a measure of receptive field size for touch receptors.
D) is used to test for hearing disorders.
E) monitors the activity of taste buds.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Identify the False statement regarding sensory receptor cells.

A) Threshold is the minimal stimulus intensity required to generate an action potential.
B) Sensory transduction converts stimulus energy into a receptor potential.
C) Each type of sensory receptor responds only to the stimulus that defines the receptor.
D) A graded potential is referred to as a receptor potential.
E) Many sensory receptor cells are NOT nerve cells.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Opening a Na⁺ channel in a non-neural sensory receptor cell would cause that cell to

A) depolarize.
B) hyperpolarize.
C) generate an action potential.
D) decrease neurotransmitter release.

Question 5

A receptor potential is

A) an action potential.
B) a graded potential.
C) the resting membrane potential of a receptor cell.
D) always converted to an action potential in sensory receptor cells.

Question 6

The tactile receptor whose nerve endings are surrounded by concentric connective tissue layers is the

A) Ruffini corpuscle.
B) Pacinian corpuscle.
C) Meissner's corpuscle.
D) Merkel disc.
E) root hair plexus.

Question 7

The intensity of a stimulus can be determined within the central nervous system by

A) population coding only.
B) labeled line coding only.
C) frequency coding only.
D) population coding and/or frequency coding.
E) labeled line coding and/or frequency coding.

Question 8

Which of the following statements regarding pathways for somatic perception projection is correct?

A) The tertiary sensory neurons cross-over the body's midline.
B) The synapse for the secondary to tertiary sensory neuron is within the medulla.
C) The longest of the secondary sensory neurons transmit fine touch and proprioceptive information.
D) Primary sensory neurons from the hands project to a specific region of the somatosensory cortex.
E) Primary sensory neurons that respond to cold sensation project to the same region of the somatosensory cortex.

Question 9

Which of the following are responsible for a receptor adapting to a stimulus?

A) K⁺ channel inactivation only
B) Na⁺ channel inactivation only
C) opening of Na⁺ channels only
D) opening of K⁺ channels only
E) Na⁺ channel inactivation or K⁺ channel opening

Question 10

Phasic receptors

A) are quick to adapt to a particular stimulus intensity.
B) slowly decrease the frequency of action potentials generated to a constant stimulus.
C) are attune to parameters that the body must continuously assess.
D) once threshold is reached by a stimulus will always generate action potentials.

Question 11

Convergence describes

A) the reason why receptive fields are so small.
B) how one primary sensory receptor neurons synapses with a secondary neuron.
C) how multiple primary sensory neurons synapse on a single secondary neuron.
D) how receptive fields can overlap with one another.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a somatosensory modality?

A) proprioception
B) touch
C) vision
D) nociception
E) temperature

Question 13

Tonic receptors

A) are quick to adapt to a particular stimulus intensity.
B) slowly decrease the frequency of action potentials generated to a constant stimulus.
C) are attune to changes in a parameter, not the extent of that change.
D) will always decrease to the point where no action potentials are generated.

Question 14

A graded change in membrane potential within a sensory receptor cell is always called a(n)

A) depolarization.
B) hyperpolarization.
C) action potential.
D) receptor potential.

Question 15

Which of the following would be an adequate stimulus for a chemoreceptor?

A) oxygen
B) cell stretch
C) photon of light
D) cold temperature
E) vibration

Question 16

The modality of a stimulus can be determined within the central nervous system by

A) population coding.
B) lateral inhibition.
C) frequency coding.
D) adequate stimulus from the sensory receptor cell.

Question 17

The larger the receptive field, the

A) stronger the stimulus intensity required to activate a sensory receptor.
B) more primary sensory neurons synapse on a secondary sensory neuron.
C) fewer primary sensory neurons are involved.
D) larger the area of the somatosensory cortex in the brain that perceives the sensation.

Question 18

A decrease in ones perception of a stimulus whose intensity has not changed due to higher neural inhibition is

A) habituation.
B) convergence.
C) divergence.
D) adaptation.

Question 19

Which of the following would be an adequate stimulus for a mechanoreceptor?

A) oxygen
B) cell stretch
C) photon of light
D) cold temperature
E) pH

Question 20

The perception threshold describes the

A) intensity of stimulus required to generate a receptor potential.
B) intensity of stimulus required to generate an action potential.
C) convergence of information from multiple primary sensory neuron onto a single secondary neuron.
D) concept that neurons higher in the sensory pathway can dampen the intensity of a stimulus.

Question 21

Visceral pain is poorly localized and can be perceived to originate from a region of the body that is different from it's actual location; this is called

A) analgesia.
B) adaptation.
C) referred pain.
D) tonic reception.
E) latency.

Question 22

Signal transduction in the type II taste cells relies on the G protein

A) Gₒlf.
B) Ggᵤs.
C) gustducin.
D) transducin.

Question 23

Umami is

A) another name for salty taste.
B) a taste receptor cell activated by glutamate and nucleotides.
C) a flavor enhancer that is part of olfaction.
D) the name of the ion channel activated by glutamate.

Question 24

The primary purpose of the middle ear bony structures (maleus, incus and stapes)is to

A) equalize pressure in the middle ear.
B) amplify the vibration as it conducts to the cochlea.
C) dampen the vibration as it conducts to the cochlea.
D) transmit otitis media to the cochlea.
E) transduce the sound waves into vibration.

Question 25

________ is released from type II cells to stimulate primary gustatory neurons.

A) Serotonin
B) Gustducin
C) Acetylcholine
D) Glutamine
E) ATP

Question 26

There are ________ primary taste (gustation)sensations.

A) 2
B) 4
C) 5
D) 20
E) 400

Question 27

Sharp, localized (fast)pain is rapidly transmitted to the central nervous system along

A) large, unmyelinated C fibers.
B) small, myelinated A-delta fibers.
C) small, unmyelinated C fibers.
D) large, myelinated A-beta fibers.

Question 28

Gustatory cells that respond to sweet, bitter or umami are called

A) type I cells.
B) type II cells.
C) type III cells.
D) type IV cells.

Question 29

Beta-endorphin is produced from the same prohormone as

A) adrenocorticotropin (ACTH).
B) insulin.
C) aldosterone.
D) thyroxine.
E) glucagon.

Question 30

Nociceptors are responsible for the perception of

A) pain only.
B) skin stretch only.
C) itch only.
D) pain and itch.
E) pain and skin stretch.

Question 31

Chemicals such as histamine, prostaglandins, serotonin, and substance P

A) only sensitize nociceptors.
B) only activate nociceptors.
C) only inhibit nociceptors.
D) only sensitize and activate nociceptors.
E) sensitize, activate and inhibit nociceptors.

Question 32

In addition to temperature, cold receptors respond to

A) menthol.
B) capsaicin.
C) alcohol.
D) water.

Question 33

The loudness or intensity of a sound wave is related to its

A) amplitude.
B) frequency.
C) duration.
D) pitch.

Question 34

Gustatory cells that respond to sour via release of serotonin are called

A) type I taste cells.
B) type II taste cells.
C) type III taste cells.
D) basal taste cells.

Question 35

The pitch of a sound wave is related to its

A) amplitude.
B) frequency.
C) duration.
D) decibels.

Question 36

Chronic pain is

A) only pathological.
B) only treated by analgesic drugs.
C) only the result of short-term changes in the nervous system.
D) pathological and treated by analgesic drugs.

Question 37

Neuronal cells that are short-lived and therefore are frequently replaced are

A) gustatory receptors.
B) nociceptors.
C) Pacinian corpuscles.
D) olfactory receptors.
E) retinal cells.

Question 38

Sensory receptors that respond when body temperature is below normal are called

A) warm receptors.
B) photoreceptors.
C) cold receptors.
D) All receptors respond to temperatures above and below body temperature (no unique name).

Question 39

When Gₒlf is activated, which of the following steps in the olfactory cells contribute to their depolarization?

A) increases in adenylate cyclase only
B) increases in cAMP concentrations only
C) increases in the closure of cAMP gated cation channels only
D) increases in adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP concentrations
E) increases in adenylate cyclase activity, cAMP concentrations and closure of cAMP gated cation channels

Question 40

The gate control theory of pain modulation states that pain transmission can be blocked by

A) cold stimulation of the A-delta fibers.
B) mechanical stimulation of A-beta fibers.
C) stimulation of C-fibers.
D) tonic activity of the inhibitory neurons in the dorsal horn.

Question 41

Sound waves are converted into mechanical movements (vibrations)by the

A) malleus.
B) cochlea.
C) oval window.
D) round window.
E) tympanic membrane.

Question 42

The receptors of equilibrium and hearing are the

A) utricles.
B) saccules.
C) hair cells.
D) supporting cells.
E) ampullae.

Question 43

The hair cell of the semicircular canal hyperpolarize when the stereocilia are bent

A) in any direction.
B) towards the kinocilium.
C) away from the kinocilium.
D) towards the longest stereocilia.
E) Hair cells are not hyperpolarized by bending of the sterocilia.

Question 44

The hair cell of the cochlea is depolarized when the stereocilia are bent

A) in any direction.
B) towards the smallest stereocilia.
C) towards the tallest stereocilia.
D) towards the middle stereocilia.
E) Hair cells are not depolarized by bending of the sterocilia.

Question 45

Collateral pathways take vestibular receptor signals from the medulla to the

A) reticular formation only.
B) thalamus only.
C) cerebellum only.
D) reticular formation and cerebellum.
E) thalamus and reticular formation.

Question 46

________ between hair cell stereocilia ensure that when the largest stereocilia is bent, all of the sterocilia are bent thereby gating more ion channels.

A) Kinocilia
B) Otoliths
C) Utricles
D) Tip links

Question 47

The ion channels that transduce the vibration of the cochlea into receptor potentials are located on the

A) stereocilia.
B) tectorial membrane.
C) helicotrema.
D) cochlear duct.
E) basilar membrane.

Question 48

The cilia of the hair cells of the semicircular canals are embedded in the

A) saccule.
B) ampullae.
C) cristae.
D) utricle.
E) cupula.

Question 49

The highest frequency sound is detected by

A) unique hair cells located anywhere along the basilar membrane.
B) hair cells located near the middle of the basilar membrane.
C) hair cells located near the oval window end of the basilar membrane.
D) hair cells located near the helicotrema end of the basilar membrane.
E) the frequency at which the stereocilia vibrate.

Question 50

Our perception of the pull of gravity and linear acceleration is the result of

A) changes in the pressure exerted by the cupula on hair cells.
B) vibrations of the tectorial membrane striking hair cells.
C) the pressure exerted by the otolithic organ on hair cells of the maculae.
D) the movement of the otolithic organ within the ampullae of the semicircular canals.

Question 51

A structure that allows the middle ear to communicate with the nasopharynx is the

A) pinna.
B) membranous labyrinth.
C) bony labyrinth.
D) eustachian tube.
E) auditory meatus.

Question 52

The external auditory canal ends at the

A) vestibule.
B) cochlear oval window.
C) malleus.
D) tympanic membrane.
E) pinna.

Question 53

Which structures monitor rotational acceleration of the head?

A) cristae of the semicircular canals
B) maculae of the saccule only
C) maculae of the utricle only
D) maculae of the utricle and saccule

Question 54

Sensations of the forces of gravity and linear acceleration are detected in the

A) semicircular canals.
B) cochlea.
C) ossicles.
D) saccule and utricle.
E) organ of Corti.

Question 55

Louder noises result in action potentials in the sensory neuron that are

A) taller.
B) shorter.
C) broader.
D) more frequent.
E) less frequent.

Question 56

The hair cells of utricle and saccule are clustered in

A) ampullae.
B) cristae.
C) cupulae.
D) maculae.
E) otoliths.

Question 57

The structure that overlies the organ of Corti and is attached to the tips of the hair cells is the

A) basilar membrane.
B) tectorial membrane.
C) stapedius.
D) perilymph.
E) endolymph.

Question 58

The structure that separates the cochlear duct from the tympanic duct is the

A) tectorial membrane.
B) basilar membrane.
C) membranous labyrinth.
D) bony labyrinth.
E) stapedius.

Question 59

The bones within the middle ear connect the

A) tympanic membrane to the oval window.
B) tympanic membrane to the round window.
C) oval window to the round window.
D) cochlea to the tympanic membrane.
E) cochlea to the oval window.

Question 60

The vitreous chamber of the eye

A) contains the lens.
B) helps to stabilize the structure of the eye and the retina.
C) contains blood vessels that nourish the retina.
D) is located between the lens and the iris.

Question 61

The central opening in the eye through which the light passes on to the retina is the

A) conjunctiva.
B) cornea.
C) pupil.
D) lens.
E) fovea.

Question 62

Match the type of receptor with the appropriate description.
A.chemoreceptors
B.touch receptors
C.thermoreceptors
D.nociceptors
These receptors slowly adapt, and would be activated when the skin is between 20-40° C.

Question 63

Match the stimulus to the type of receptor that typically responds to it.
A.chemoreceptor
B.mechanoreceptor
pH

Question 64

On a dark night, the rods have a high concentration of

A) opsin.
B) cAMP.
C) cGMP.
D) kinase.

Question 65

Match the type of receptor with the appropriate description.
A.chemoreceptors
B.touch receptors
C.thermoreceptors
D.nociceptors
These receptors respond to stimuli that are harmful or potentially harmful to body tissues and lead to the perception of pain.

Question 66

The photosensitive pigment synthesized from vitamin A is

A) retinal.
B) opsin.
C) rhodopsin.
D) transducin.
E) cGMP.

Question 67

Which of the following cells is NOT localized to the retina?

A) rods
B) vertical
C) bipolar
D) cones
E) amacrine

Question 68

Match the type of receptor with the appropriate description.
A.chemoreceptors
B.touch receptors
C.thermoreceptors
D.nociceptors
These are probably the oldest sensory receptors as evidenced by their existence in primitive animals that do not have formalized nervous systems.

Question 69

Match the stimulus to the type of receptor that typically responds to it.
A.chemoreceptor
B.mechanoreceptor
stretch

Question 70

Which of the following cells involved in processing visual information in the retina synapse with the rods?

A) horizontal cells only
B) ganglion cells only
C) bipolar cells only
D) horizontal and bipolar cells only
E) horizontal, ganglion, and bipolar

Question 71

Match the specific receptor to its typical stimulus.
A.free nerve ending
B.Merkel receptor
C.Meissner's corpuscle
D.Ruffini corpuscle
E.Pacinian corpuscle
flutter

Question 72

Match the stimulus to the type of receptor that typically responds to it.
A.chemoreceptor
B.mechanoreceptor
pressure

Question 73

A blind spot in the retina occurs where

A) the fovea is located.
B) ganglion cells synapse with bipolar cells.
C) the optic nerve leaves the eye.
D) rod cells are clustered to form the macula.
E) amacrine cells are located.

Question 74

Accommodation describes the focusing of light on the retina by changing

A) the shape of the lens.
B) pupillary diameter.
C) the shape of the cornea.
D) distance of the retina from the lens.

Question 75

An area of the retina that contains only cones and is the site of sharpest vision is the

A) outer segment.
B) inner segment.
C) fovea.
D) optic disc.
E) tapetum lucidum.

Question 76

Photoreceptors secrete the neurotransmitter

A) acetylcholine.
B) norepinephrine.
C) glutamate.
D) dopamine.

Question 77

Match the stimulus to the type of receptor that typically responds to it.
A.chemoreceptor
B.mechanoreceptor
oxygen

Question 78

The ciliary muscle helps to

A) control the amount of light reaching the retina.
B) control the shape of the lens.
C) control the production of aqueous humor.
D) move the eyeball.

Question 79

Match the type of receptor with the appropriate description.
A.chemoreceptors
B.touch receptors
C.thermoreceptors
D.nociceptors
The most studied examples of this type are phasic receptors called Pacinian corpuscles.

Question 80

Match the specific receptor to its typical stimulus.
A.free nerve ending
B.Merkel receptor
C.Meissner's corpuscle
D.Ruffini corpuscle
E.Pacinian corpuscle
texture