Sensory Pathways

Question 1

What are Ascending Neural Pathways in Sensory Systems?

Answer 1

• Ascending because they carry information “up” to the brain
• Typically formed by 3+ neurons, connected by synapses
• Information is either brought to consciousness or not
• Most pathways convey only one type of sensory information

Question 2

why might an individual feel pain in their shoulder during a heart attack?

Answer 2

covergence of neurons, brains interpret pain from different location

Question 3

Which Neuron, A or B, would indicate stimulus location more precisely?

Answer 3

A - smaller receptor field
can tell theres two different locations

(B would not be able to narrow certain location)

Question 4

Convergence vs Divergence

Answer 4

Question 5

What are Specific Ascending Pathways?

Answer 5

• Initially integrated in specific areas of the brain
• Information then travels to association areas for further integration

Question 6

make into seperate cards (match)

Answer 6

Parietal - Somatosensory

Temporal - Auditory

Adjacent to Somatosensory Cprtex - Gustatory

Undersurface of Frontal and Temporal Lobes - Limbic

Occipital - Visual

Question 7

What are Non-Specific Ascending Pathways?

Answer 7

• Activated by sensory units of several different types and provide general information (i.e., something is happening, but we don’t know what or where)
• End in the brainstem, reticular formation, thalamus and non-discriminative areas of the cerebral cortex

Question 8

Which Pathway is Specific and Which is non Specific?

Answer 8

Specific - LEFT

Non-Specific - RIGHT

Question 9

non-specific ascending pathways

Answer 9

do not convey specific sensory information

termionate in the brainstem so we cant get info about it.

something is happening to you but we don’t know what or where