Question 1

Sodium channels play a key role in the perception of

Accepted Answer

Sodium channels play a key role in the perception of salts, as they allow sodium ions to enter taste receptor cells and generate an electrical signal that is processed by the brain as salty taste. Sodium channels do not have a significant role in the perception of acids, umami, sugars, or toxic alkaloids.

Question 2

The taste known as ________ allows us to detect glutamate in proteins.

Accepted Answer

The taste known as umami allows us to detect glutamate in proteins. The other choices are not associated with glutamate specifically.

Question 3

A person is administered a placebo "pain-relieving" skin cream just before receiving a painful electric shock. Imaging studies suggest that the placebo analgesic effect is due to

Accepted Answer

Imaging studies have shown that the placebo analgesic effect is due to increased activity within the prefrontal cortex and periaqueductal gray (PAG). The prefrontal cortex is involved in cognitive processes such as attention and expectation, while the PAG is involved in descending pain modulation pathways. The increased activity in these areas likely modulates the perception of pain and reduces its intensity. The other options are not supported by current research on the neural mechanisms underlying the placebo analgesic effect.

Question 4

Imaging studies suggest that the unpleasant aspect of pain involves the

Accepted Answer

The anterior cingulate cortex is known to be involved in the emotional component of pain, which includes the unpleasantness of the pain. Imaging studies have consistently identified activation in the anterior cingulate cortex in response to painful stimuli.

Answer: E
 The amygdala is also involved in the emotional aspect of pain, particularly in the processing of painful or threatening stimuli. Studies have shown that the amygdala responds to painful stimuli and plays a role in the emotional evaluations of pain. However, the anterior cingulate cortex is considered to have a stronger association with the unpleasantness of pain.

Question 5

Imagine that you are suffering chronic pain from a medical condition that cannot be treated. In order to minimize the long-term emotional response to your pain, you would choose a modification of your

Accepted Answer

The prefrontal cortex is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making, planning, and regulating emotions. By modulating this area, one could potentially minimize the emotional response to chronic pain. The other brain areas listed are primarily involved in processing and interpreting sensory information, and may not be as effective in regulating emotions.

Question 6

After damage to her somatosensory association cortex, Patient E.C. experienced

Accepted Answer

Damage to the somatosensory association cortex can result in difficulty in recognizing common objects by touch, a condition known as astereognosis. This is because the somatosensory association cortex is involved in integrating sensory information from different sensory modalities to recognize objects. Visual agnosia, a loss of tactile sensitivity, and difficulties in differentiating objects by weight or texture cues are more likely to result from damage to other areas of the brain, such as the visual cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, or parietal cortex.

Question 7

Imaging studies indicate that the ________ plays a key role in the perceived intensity of pain, while the activity of the ________ is related to the unpleasantness of pain.

Accepted Answer

Imaging studies have shown that the somatosensory cortex plays a role in the perceived intensity of pain, while the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with the emotional component of pain, particularly the unpleasantness of pain.

Question 8

The long-term emotional component of chronic pain is mediated by pathways that

Accepted Answer

The answer of The long-term emotional component of chronic pain...

Question 9

Tigers and cats are unable to sense which of the following taste qualities?

Accepted Answer

Tigers and cats lack the taste receptors for sweetness, making them unable to sense this taste quality. This is due to a mutation in the gene that codes for the sweet taste receptor.

Question 10

________ is the neurotransmitter released by the taste receptor cells.

Accepted Answer

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the neurotransmitter produced and released by taste receptor cells. It activates sensory nerve fibers that signal the brain about the presence of a specific taste.

Question 11

Melzak argues that phantom limb sensation in an amputee occurs because

Accepted Answer

The answer of Melzak argues that phantom limb sensation in...

Question 12

The process of vaginal self-stimulation in human women induces analgesia through

Accepted Answer

Vaginal self-stimulation in human women induces analgesia through endogenous opiate release. This occurs due to the activation of the body's natural pain-relieving system, which releases endogenous opioids such as endorphins and enkephalins. These opioids bind to the same receptors as opioid drugs, reducing pain and inducing feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

Question 13

Electrical stimulation of the ________ in humans produces painful burning and tingling sensations.

Accepted Answer

The insular cortex is involved in processing and integrating sensory information related to pain and temperature sensations. Electrical stimulation of the insular cortex in humans has been found to produce painful burning and tingling sensations.

Question 14

The detection of ________ involves the detection of fatty acids on the tongue.

Accepted Answer

The detection of fat involves the detection of fatty acids on the tongue. This sense is called "oleogustus" and has been proposed as the sixth basic taste. The other taste options given (sour, umami, salty, sweet) do not involve the detection of fatty acids.

Question 15

Which of the following would be expected to induce pain?

Accepted Answer

Activation of the insular cortex is associated with the perception of pain, among other functions, including emotional experiences and the regulation of the body's homeostasis.

Question 16

The ________ nuclei are the relay nuclei for somatosensation.

Accepted Answer

The ventral posterior thalamic nuclei (VP) are the relay nuclei for somatosensation. They receive information from the spinothalamic tract and dorsal column/medial lemniscus pathway and project it to the somatosensory cortex. The medial lateral thalamic nuclei are involved in memory and emotions, the medial geniculate nucleus is involved in auditory processing, and the thalamocortical pathway refers to the overall pathway between the thalamus and cortex. Thus, choice D is the best answer.

Question 17

Which of the following is true of the functions of pain?

Accepted Answer

Pain is often triggered by tissue damage within the body. This is a protective mechanism that alerts the body to potential harm or injury.

Answer: D
 Hypnosis has been found to decrease pain reactivity in some individuals, suggesting that it may have a role in pain management.

Answers A, C, and E are false.

A) Persons who lack pain receptors are at risk for serious injury and may not be able to properly respond to dangerous situations.
C) Opiates are known to reduce pain sensitivity, rather than enhance it.
E) Emotional events can either increase or decrease the sensation of pain stimuli, depending on the individual and the circumstances.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct match between a taste receptor and the chemical sensed by that receptor?

Accepted Answer

Sourness is sensed by the presence of an acid, making choice E the correct match between the taste receptor and chemical sensed. The other choices are incorrect, as sweetness is generally sensed by sugars or artificial sweeteners, bitterness is sensed by alkaloids or other toxic compounds, and umami is sensed by glutamate.

Question 19

The most effective site for the induction of analgesia in rats using electrical stimulation is the

Accepted Answer

The periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) has been shown to be the most effective site for the induction of analgesia in rats using electrical stimulation. The PAG is part of the descending pain control pathway and has a large number of opioid receptors, which are involved in pain modulation. Electrical stimulation of the PAG can lead to the release of endogenous opioids, resulting in analgesia.

Question 20

The possible painful aspect of ________ is offset by the release of endogenous opiates.

Accepted Answer

During copulation, there is potential pain due to friction and pressure, but the release of endogenous opiates such as endorphins can help alleviate this pain. This is why sexual activity is known to provide a pleasurable experience despite the potential for discomfort.

Quiz 7: Audition, the Body Senses, and the Chemical Senses