Chapter 44

What is sensory transduction?

• The awareness of sensations

• The process by which sensory systems convert stimuli into neural signals

• The conversion of neural signals into physical actions

• The process by which the brain interprets sensory information

What does perception refer to in the context of sensation?

• The conversion of neural signals into motor responses

• The process by which stimuli are converted into neural signals

• The awareness of sensations

• The change in membrane potential of sensory neurons

Are all sensations consciously perceived according to the text?

• Yes, all sensations are consciously perceived

• No, not all sensations are consciously perceived

• The text does not specify

• Only sensations related to pain are consciously perceived

What are sensory receptors composed of?

• Muscle fibers

• Neurons or specialized epithelial cells

• Bone tissue

• Blood cells

What do sensory receptors do when they recognize a stimulus?

• They immediately send an action potential to the CNS

• They create graded potentials in itself or adjacent cell

• They release hormones into the bloodstream

• They absorb the stimulus without any response

What happens when the response of a sensory receptor is strong enough?

• An action potential is sent to the CNS

• The sensory receptor becomes inactive

• The stimulus is ignored

• A graded potential is reduced

What is directly related to the intensity of a stimulus in terms of depolarization?

• The number of neurotransmitters released

• The amount of depolarization

• The speed of action potential propagation

• The size of the neuron

What happens when a stronger stimulus is applied to a neuron?

• Fewer ion channels open

• The neuron hyperpolarizes

• More ion channels open

• The neuron immediately fires an action potential

What is the membrane potential referred to as when it is strong enough to trigger an action potential?

• Axon potential

• Receptor potential

• Synaptic potential

• Resting potential

Where does the membrane reach the threshold potential to produce an action potential in a sensory neuron?

• At the dendrites

• At the axon terminals

• At the axon hillock

• At the synaptic cleft