Chapter 2.4

Question 1

Where are olfactory chemoreceptors or nerves located

Answer 1

-they are located in the olfactory epithelium in the upper part of the nasal cavity

Question 2

Describe the effect of pheromones in animals vs humans

Answer 2

• in humans, there are debatable effects
• in animals, enormous role
• > in social interaction, foraging and sexual behaviour
• > secreted by one animal and bind to the chemoreceptors of another animal

Question 3

What is the olfactory pathway

Answer 3

• odor molecules inhaled into nasal passages
• contact the olfactory nerves in the olfactory epithelium
• then signals go to olfactory bulb
• > these signals are then relayed via the olfactory tract to higher regions of the brain

Question 4

What are the five basic tastes

Answer 4

-sweet, sour, bitter, umami and salty

Question 5

How is taste detected?

Answer 5

• by chemoreceptors

- specifically, chemoreceptors are sensitive to dissolved compounds

Question 6

What are group of cells that are specialized for taste referred to as? Where are they found

Answer 6

• receptors for taste are referred to as taste buds
• they are found as little bumps on the tongue
• > these little bumps are referred to as papillae

Question 7

Where is the taste center

Answer 7

-in the thalamus

Question 8

What are the five receptors for somatosensation? Describe their function

Answer 8

1) Pacinian->deep pressure/vibration
2) Ruffini->responds to stretch
3) Merkle-> responds to deep pressure and texture
4) Meissner->responds to light touch
5) Free nerve endings-> responds to pain and temperature

Question 9

Which lobe is the somatosensory cortex in?

Answer 9

-it is in the parietal lobe

Question 10

What is the two point threshold referring to?

Answer 10

• it is the minimum distance necessary between two points of stimulation on the skin
• > so that these points will be felt as two distinct stimuli

Question 11

What is physiological zero

Answer 11

• normal temperature of the skin
• > between 86 and 97 degrees Farenheit
• warm object is above physiological zero
• cold object is below physiological zero

Question 12

What is the gate theory of pain

Answer 12

• there is a special “gating” mechanism
• > that can turn pain signals on and off
• > it affects whether we perceive pain
• the spinal cord is preferentially able to forward signals from other touch modalities to the brain
• > reducing sensation of pain

Question 13

What is kinesthetic sense referred to as? Hint it starts with a P.

Answer 13

• it is also referred to as proprioception

- >refers to the ability to tell where one’s body is in space