Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of lateral inhibition in sensory physiology?

Accepted Answer

It inhibits information from afferent neurons at the edge of a stimulus, sharpening contrast and improving localization.

Question 2

A patient experiences pain in the left arm during a heart attack, even though the injury is in the heart. What is the physiological explanation for this referred pain?

Accepted Answer

Convergence of visceral and somatic afferent neurons onto the same interneuron in the spinal cord.

Question 3

Which equation best represents the relationship between stimulus intensity and action potential frequency in a sensory neuron?

Accepted Answer

$$ f = k \cdot I $$ where $$f is $$frequency, $$I is $$intensity, and $$k is a $$proportionality constant.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a function of the vestibular apparatus?

Accepted Answer

Transducing auditory signals for hearing.

Question 5

A person with red-green color blindness most likely has:

Accepted Answer

A recessive mutation on the X chromosome affecting either red or green cone pigments.

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why objects appear in shades of gray at night?

Accepted Answer

Rods are activated in dim light and lack mechanisms for distinguishing between frequencies.

Question 7

Which of the following is the correct sequence for the neural pathway of hearing from the cochlea to the auditory cortex?

Accepted Answer

Cochlea → brainstem → thalamus → auditory cortex

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of salty taste detection?

Accepted Answer

Sodium influx through ion channels in taste receptor cells.

Question 9

Which of the following is a rapidly adapting mechanoreceptor responsible for vibration and deep pressure?

Accepted Answer

Pacinian corpuscle

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the process of phototransduction in cone cells?

Accepted Answer

Light hyperpolarizes photoreceptors, decreasing glutamate release onto bipolar cells.

Question 11

Which of the following is true regarding the ON-pathway in the retina?

Accepted Answer

ON-pathway bipolar cells depolarize in the absence of input.

Question 12

Which of the following is a plausible explanation for the increased sensitivity to painful stimuli after a severe burn injury?

Accepted Answer

Hyperalgesia resulting from changes in nociceptor ion channels.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the function of the macula lutea and fovea centralis?

Accepted Answer

They are regions of the retina densely packed with cones, providing the highest visual acuity.

Question 14

Which of the following is a plausible mechanism for the sensation of itch?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of sensory receptors in the skin and abnormal functioning of neurons within the CNS.

Question 15

Which of the following is a common cause of irreversible blindness due to increased pressure within the eye?

Accepted Answer

Glaucoma

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the process of sensory coding?

Accepted Answer

Conversion of stimulus energy into a signal that conveys relevant sensory information to the CNS.

Question 17

Which of the following is true about the neural pathways of vision?

Accepted Answer

Ganglion cells are the first cells in the pathway where action potentials can be initiated.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why olfactory discrimination decreases with age?

Accepted Answer

The number of olfactory receptor neurons decreases and the ability to identify odors declines.

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible explanation for the dizzy spells experienced by the patient in the clinical case study?

Accepted Answer

Disruption of function of the vestibular apparatus due to loose otoliths in the semicircular canals.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of bitter taste detection?

Accepted Answer

Activation of G-protein mediated second-messenger pathways by plant alkaloids.

Chapter 07 - Sensory Physiology: Comprehensive Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards