Question 1

Which of the following is true regarding supertasters?

Accepted Answer

Supertasters have a higher density of taste buds compared to non-supertasters, which contributes to their heightened sense of taste.

Question 2

We are sensitive to _________ basic tastes.

Accepted Answer

It is commonly accepted that there are five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, umami (savory), and bitter. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Option A is not correct as it only includes three tastes, while option C and D include an excessively high number of potential tastes.

Question 3

A leading theory of phantom limb pain holds that this experience is due to

Accepted Answer

The leading theory of phantom limb pain is that it is a result of the brain's attempt to reorganize itself after the loss of input from the missing limb. This theory is supported by research that shows changes in the organization of the somatosensory cortex in amputees with phantom limb pain. The brain may create new neural connections that result in the sensation of pain in the missing limb. Additionally, treatment approaches that focus on re-training the brain, such as mirror therapy, have been effective in reducing phantom limb pain.

Question 4

The complex flavours we experience when we bite into a great sandwich are due to

Accepted Answer

The complex flavors we experience when we bite into a great sandwich are due to the interaction between the gustatory (taste) and olfactory (smell) systems. The taste buds on our tongue can only detect a few basic tastes (i.e. sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami) but the olfactory system can distinguish thousands of different smells. When we chew food, the aroma compounds released into our nasal cavity combine with the taste signals from our tongue to create the rich and complex flavor experience we associate with a delicious sandwich.

Question 5

Why might food taste bland if your nose were congested due to a cold or allergies?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 80% of our information about flavour comes from olfaction, meaning a significant portion of what we perceive as taste actually comes from our sense of smell. When the nose is congested, this olfactory input is significantly reduced, making food taste bland.

Question 6

Ursula is an army veteran who had to have her leg amputated after an explosive device detonated near her.Surprisingly,she still awakens in the middle of the night and feels her missing leg itching,twitching,or even hurting.Ursula is experiencing _________________ sensations.

Accepted Answer

Ursula is experiencing phantom limb sensations, as she still perceives sensations in her missing limb. This is a common phenomenon experienced by many amputees, where the brain still receives signals from the nerves that used to be connected to the amputated limb. This can cause sensations like itching, twitching, or pain in the absent limb.

Question 7

According to the gate-control theory of pain,which of the following would be an effective way to decrease the pain of banging your elbow?

Accepted Answer

According to the gate-control theory of pain, rubbing the area around the site of the pain can activate large sensory nerve fibers, which can close the "gate" and decrease the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Jumping up and down, seeing someone else in pain, or thinking happy thoughts are not effective ways to decrease pain according to this theory.

Question 8

Karen has suffered from phantom limb pain for several years.She visits a neurologist who proposes trying a therapeutic treatment that has been proven to be effective.Karen is surprised that this simple treatment uses

Accepted Answer

The mirror box therapy is a well-established and effective treatment for phantom limb pain. It involves using a specially designed box with a mirror in the center to create an illusion of the missing limb. By watching the reflection of the intact limb in the mirror, the brain is tricked into perceiving movement and sensation in the phantom limb, which can help reduce pain and improve function. Ice and warm water therapy, mental visualization, and acupuncture are other treatments that may be used for pain management, but they are not specifically proven to be effective for phantom limb pain.

Question 9

The gate-control theory of pain suggests that

Accepted Answer

The gate-control theory of pain proposes that the perception of pain is not solely determined by the presence of pain signals from small pain fibres, but also by larger inhibitory fibres in the spinal cord that can block those signals. Therefore, the interaction between these two types of fibres can be viewed as a "gate" that controls the perception of pain. This theory has been supported by research indicating that various factors, such as distraction or the release of endorphins, can influence the opening or closing of this gate, leading to changes in pain perception. The other options (B, C, and D) are incorrect because they either do not accurately describe the gate-control theory or present false information about pain perception and treatment.

Question 10

Bumps on the tongue called __________ contain numerous __________ .

Accepted Answer

Bumps on the tongue are called papillae, and they contain numerous taste buds. Mechanoreceptors are responsible for detecting pressure and touch and are located in other parts of the tongue.

Question 11

_________ describes our sense of body position or movement.

Accepted Answer

Kinesthesis is the sense that allows us to perceive the position and movements of our body parts. Haptics refers to the sense of touch, nociception is the perception of pain, and homuncular awareness is the perception of one's own body in space.

Question 12

Without ________________,we could cut our arm with a knife and feel nothing more than the slight pressure of the blade.

Accepted Answer

Nociception is a sensory process that enables us to perceive pain or potential tissue damage. Without nociception, we would not be able to perceive pain, and thus, we could cut our arm with a knife and feel nothing more than the slight pressure of the blade. Acuity refers to the sharpness of our sensory perception, haptics relates to our sense of touch, and kinesthesis refers to our sense of movement and spatial awareness.

Question 13

Tory finds foods like broccoli and coffee too bitter to consume.She also does not like fatty or sweet foods.It is likely that Tory is a

Accepted Answer

Supertasters are individuals who have an increased number of taste buds and are more sensitive to bitterness, which may cause them to find certain foods unpleasant. This sensitivity can also extend to other tastes such as sweetness and fattiness. As Tory finds bitter foods like broccoli and coffee too bitter, it is likely that she is a supertaster.

Question 14

_________ is responsible for our perception of savoury tastes.

Accepted Answer

Umami is responsible for our perception of savoury tastes. It is often described as a meaty or broth-like taste, and is associated with foods like meats, mushrooms, and soy sauce. Olfaction is responsible for our sense of smell, salt is responsible for salty tastes, and sucrose is responsible for sweetness.

Quiz 4: C: Sensation and Perception