Seminar - Lab 04 Sensory Systems

Membrane Potential

The difference in electric charge inside and outside of a cell, primarily influenced by ion concentrations and selective permeability.

Nernst Equation

An equation used to calculate the equilibrium potential at which an ion is in equilibrium across a membrane.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway through the spinal cord that mediates reflex actions.

Monosynaptic Arc

A reflex arc consisting of one sensory neuron and one motor neuron.

Polysynaptic Arc

A reflex arc that includes one or more interneurons interposed between sensory and motor neurons.

Pupillary Light Reflex

The constriction or dilation of the pupil in response to changes in light intensity.

Accommodation Reflex

The process by which the lens and pupil adjust to focus light on the retina for objects at varying distances.

Two-point Discrimination

The ability to recognize two separate points of stimulation, most sensitive at the fingertips due to high receptor density.

Referred Pain

Pain perceived in a different area of the body than where the stimulus is applied, caused by overlapping neural pathways.

Gustatory System

The sensory system responsible for the sense of taste, involving taste buds on the tongue.

Olfactory System

The sensory system associated with the sense of smell, involving the detection of airborne chemicals.

Vestibular System

The sensory system responsible for detecting changes in head motion and position, including balance and spatial orientation.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear responsible for converting sound waves into nerve impulses.

Astigmatism

A common vision condition caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens, leading to blurred or distorted vision.

Negative Afterimage

An optical illusion that occurs when staring at a visual stimulus for a period and then looking away, resulting in a persisting image in complementary colors.

Reflex

Involuntary movement which occurs almost immediately after a stimulus and does not require conscious thought or higher brain input

Jendrassik Maneuver

A medical technique used to enhance the knee-jerk reflex response by distracting the patient with hand clenching and decreasing inhibitory input. (Less inhibition = stronger reflex)

Pupils dilate and lens flattens

What happens to the the pupil and lens when focused on a distant object?

Pupils constrict and lens rounds

What happens to the the pupil and lens when focused on a near object?

Angular acceleration

What do semicircular canals detect?

Liner acceleration

What do otolith organs detect?

Nystagmus

Rapid back-and-forth movement of the eyes

Lingual papillae

Where are taste buds located in?