Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It sharpens the localization of a stimulus by inhibiting adjacent sensory neurons, increasing contrast between activated and non-activated areas. $$Lateral\ inhibition\ =\ enhanced\ contrast\ by\ inhibition\ of\ neighboring\ neurons$$

Question 2

A patient is unable to distinguish between salty and sour tastes but can still detect sweet and bitter. Which type of taste receptor cell is most likely dysfunctional?

Accepted Answer

Type III taste receptor cells $$Type\ III\ =\ sour\ and\ salty$$

Question 3

Which of the following best explains why the lens of the eye becomes more rounded during accommodation for near vision?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic input causes contraction of the ciliary muscles, reducing tension on the zonular fibers, allowing the lens to round. $$Accommodation:\ ciliary\ muscle\ contracts\rightarrow\zonular\ fibers\ relax\rightarrow\lens\ rounds$$

Question 4

A person is exposed to a constant, non-painful stimulus (such as wearing a watch) and eventually stops noticing it. Which sensory adaptation process is responsible for this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Rapidly adapting (phasic) receptors $$Phasic\ receptors\ =\ stop\ responding\ to\ constant\ stimulus$$

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the pathway of sound transduction from the external environment to the activation of cochlear neurons?

Accepted Answer

Sound waves vibrate the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window, causing movement of the basilar membrane and activation of hair cells that synapse with cochlear neurons. $$Sound\rightarrow\ossicles\rightarrow\oval\window\rightarrow\basilar\membrane\movement\rightarrow\hair\cell\activation$$

Question 6

A patient has damage to the right somatosensory cortex. Which of the following deficits would you most likely expect?

Accepted Answer

Loss of sensation on the left side of the body $$Somatosensory\ pathways\ decussate\ (cross)\ before\ reaching\ cortex$$

Question 7

Which of the following statements about phototransduction in rods is correct?

Accepted Answer

Light causes rods to hyperpolarize, decreasing neurotransmitter release. $$Light\rightarrow\hyperpolarization\rightarrow\decreased\glutamate\release$$

Question 8

A person is able to localize a touch stimulus on their fingertip more precisely than on their back. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Fingertips have smaller receptive fields and more sensory units per area than the back. $$Smaller\ receptive\ fields\ =\ greater\ spatial\ resolution$$

Question 9

Which neurotransmitter is released at the neuromuscular junction to initiate muscle contraction?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine $$ACh\ released\ at\ neuromuscular\ junction$$

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the function of the Eustachian tube in the ear?

Accepted Answer

It equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and the pharynx. $$Eustachian\ tube\ =\ pressure\ equalization$$

Question 11

A person with damage to their left optic tract will most likely experience which of the following visual deficits?

Accepted Answer

Loss of vision in the right visual field of both eyes

Question 12

Which of the following is a correct sequence for the somatosensory pathway from the periphery to the cortex?

Accepted Answer

Receptor $$\rightarrow$$ spinal cord $$\rightarrow$$ thalamus $$\rightarrow$$ cortex $$First\ order\ \rightarrow\ second\ order\ \rightarrow\ third\ order$$

Question 13

Which of the following best explains the 'gate control theory' of pain modulation?

Accepted Answer

Activation of mechanoreceptors (e.g., by rubbing the skin) inhibits pain transmission in the spinal cord. $$Gate\ control:\ mechanoreceptor\ activation\ inhibits\ pain\ pathway$$

Question 14

Which of the following is true regarding the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons are cholinergic and have muscarinic receptors. $$Parasympathetic\ postganglionic\ =\ cholinergic\ (ACh)\ with\ muscarinic\ receptors$$

Question 15

A person spins rapidly in a chair and then stops suddenly. Which structure in the vestibular system is primarily responsible for detecting this rotational movement?

Accepted Answer

Semicircular canals $$Semicircular\ canals\ =\ rotational\ acceleration$$

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the effect of light on photoreceptors in the retina?

Accepted Answer

Light causes photoreceptors to hyperpolarize and decrease neurotransmitter release. $$Light\rightarrow\hyperpolarization\rightarrow\decreased\glutamate\release$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Increases heart rate and dilates pupils $$Sympathetic:\ fight\ or\ flight\ =\ increased\ HR,\ dilated\ pupils$$

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why high-frequency sounds are detected at the base of the cochlea?

Accepted Answer

The base of the cochlea is narrower and stiffer, resonating with higher frequencies. $$Base:\ narrow,\ stiff\ \rightarrow\ high\ frequency$$

Question 19

Which of the following statements about taste transduction is correct?

Accepted Answer

Taste receptor cells have microvilli that contain tastant receptors, and most respond to more than one primary taste. $$Microvilli\ with\ tastant\ receptors;\ most\ respond\ to\ multiple\ tastes$$

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of the olfactory bulb in smell perception?

Accepted Answer

It receives input from olfactory receptor cells and organizes them into glomeruli based on receptor type. $$Olfactory\ bulb:\ input\ from\ receptor\ cells\ \rightarrow\ glomeruli\ by\ receptor\ type$$

Sensory Physiology and the Nervous System: Study Notes for Anatomy & Physiology

Guida di studio - Domande di pratica

Study guide - Flashcard