Deck 8: Extension: B - Organization of the Sensory Systems

Question 1

Discuss the relationship between receptive field size, sensory receptor density, cortical representation, and perceptual sensitivity.

Answer 1

Receptive field size and receptor density determine the level of detail in a sensory stimulus that can be collected and relayed to the sensory cortex. Cortical representations are discrete for each sense and represent the higher and lower receptive field sizes and receptor densities along with the organization of the sensory organ in the cases of vision, hearing, and somatosensation. Perception is most accurate for the sensory cortical areas with the highest levels of detail (smallest receptive fields, highest receptor density, largest area of sensory cortex), even though the association cortex contains multiple representations of each stimulus.

Question 2

Use the following to answer questions:
Each sensory system has its own thalamic nucleus. Match each sensory system with the appropriate thalamic nucleus.
nociception and proprioception ___

A)lateral geniculate nucleus
B)dorsomedial nucleus
C)ventral posteromedial nucleus
D)ventrolateral nucleus

Answer 2

ventrolateral nucleus

Question 3

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the Brodmann cortical area below with the sensory modality with which it is most closely associated.
area 3 ___

A)taste
B)vision
C)somatosensation
D)audition

Answer 3

somatosensation

Question 4

Use the following to answer questions:
The visual system consists of many subsystems. For each subsystem listed below, choose the most appropriate alternative.
visual cortex ___

A)orientation of head
B)voluntary eye movements
C)pupil size
D)pattern perception

Question 5

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the receptor in each question with the appropriate sensory system.
free nerve endings ___

A)balance
B)proprioception
C)nociception
D)hapsis

Question 6

Use the following to answer questions:
The visual system consists of many subsystems. For each subsystem listed below, choose the most appropriate alternative.
frontal eye fields ___

A)orientation of head
B)voluntary eye movements
C)pupil size
D)pattern perception

Question 7

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the Brodmann cortical area below with the sensory modality with which it is most closely associated.
area 43 (insula) ___

A)taste
B)vision
C)somatosensation
D)audition

Question 8

Define the term "receptive field," and give examples showing how such fields vary in different sensory modalities.

Question 9

Why are sensory receptors also termed "transducers"?

Question 10

Use the following to answer questions:
Each sensory system has its own thalamic nucleus. Match each sensory system with the appropriate thalamic nucleus.
olfaction ___

A)lateral geniculate nucleus
B)dorsomedial nucleus
C)ventral posteromedial nucleus
D)ventrolateral nucleus

Question 11

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the Brodmann cortical area below with the sensory modality with which it is most closely associated.
area 41 ___

A)taste
B)vision
C)somatosensation
D)audition

Question 12

Use the following to answer questions:
The visual system consists of many subsystems. For each subsystem listed below, choose the most appropriate alternative.
superior colliculus ___

A)orientation of head
B)voluntary eye movements
C)pupil size
D)pattern perception

Question 13

Use the following to answer questions:
Each sensory system has its own thalamic nucleus. Match each sensory system with the appropriate thalamic nucleus.
taste ___

A)lateral geniculate nucleus
B)dorsomedial nucleus
C)ventral posteromedial nucleus
D)ventrolateral nucleus

Question 14

Use the following to answer questions:
The visual system consists of many subsystems. For each subsystem listed below, choose the most appropriate alternative.
pretectum ___

A)orientation of head
B)voluntary eye movements
C)pupil size
D)pattern perception

Question 15

What two kinds of events can take place at the neuronal synapses between one relay and the next in a sensory system?

Question 16

Use the following to answer questions:
Each sensory system has its own thalamic nucleus. Match each sensory system with the appropriate thalamic nucleus.
vision ___

A)lateral geniculate nucleus
B)dorsomedial nucleus
C)ventral posteromedial nucleus
D)ventrolateral nucleus

Question 17

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the receptor in each question with the appropriate sensory system.
Golgi tendon organs ___

A)balance
B)proprioception
C)nociception
D)hapsis

Question 18

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the receptor in each question with the appropriate sensory system.
otolith organs ___

A)balance
B)proprioception
C)nociception
D)hapsis

Question 19

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the receptor in each question with the appropriate sensory system.
Meissner's corpuscles ___

A)balance
B)proprioception
C)nociception
D)hapsis

Question 20

Use the following to answer questions:
Match the Brodmann cortical area below with the sensory modality with which it is most closely associated.
area 17 ___

A)taste
B)vision
C)somatosensation
D)audition

Question 21

Identify, in correct order, the major connections of the geniculostriate system from the eye to the cortex.

Question 22

Describe why a person might experience some relief of the pain from a blow to their right arm by rubbing it briskly with their left hand.

Question 23

What functional properties are shared by all sensory systems?
Answer Key

Question 24

What is the "McGurk effect," and how does it illustrate interactions between different sensory modalities?

Question 25

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of the rod system and the cone system?

Question 26

How might synesthesia occur? (Hint: there is no definitive answer to this one.)

Question 27

Compare stimulus frequency and intensity as used by the visual and auditory systems to create perceptions.

Question 28

Identify, in correct order, the major connections of the olfactory system from nose to cortex.

Question 29

Identify, in correct order, the major connections of the pathway underlying fine touch, pressure, and proprioception from the spinal cord to the cortex.

Question 30

Differentiate between the geniculostriate and tectopulvinar visual systems, functionally and anatomically.

Question 31

What is a homunculus?

Question 32

What role does context play in sensory perception?

Question 33

Identify four subsystems in the visual system, and describe their postulated functions.

Question 34

Why doesn't complete destruction of the geniculostriate pathway in humans leave the person completely blind?

Question 35

Identify, in correct order, the major neural connections of the auditory system from the inner ear to the cortex.