Ch12 Dr Mon

Front

What type of stimulus do Merkel discs respond to?

Back

Pressure texture.

Front

What type of stimulus do Ruffini cells respond to?

Back

Stretch.

Front

What is a receptive field?

Back

A receptive field is the surface area in which a mechanoreceptor senses a disturbance.

Front

What type of stimulus do Meissner cells respond to?

Back

Light touch.

Front

Define a sensory unit.

Back

One afferent neuron and all its receptors.

Front

What is the function of mechanoreceptors?

Back

To detect mechanical changes in the environment, such as pressure, touch, and vibration.

Front

What is the role of afferent neurons in sensory processing?

Back

Afferent neurons transmit sensory information from receptors to the central nervous system.

Front

How do mechanoreceptors adapt to stimuli?

Back

Mechanoreceptors can adapt by decreasing their response to a constant stimulus over time.

Front

What is the difference between tonic and phasic receptors?

Back

Tonic receptors maintain their response to a stimulus over time, while phasic receptors respond only to changes in stimulus intensity.

Front

What is the significance of receptive field size in sensory perception?

Back

Larger receptive fields can detect broader areas of stimulation, while smaller receptive fields provide more precise localization of stimuli.