Principles of Human Physiology: Sensory Systems

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary from the lecture on the sensory systems in human physiology.

Afferent branch

Part of the peripheral nervous system that carries sensory information towards the central nervous system.

Perception

Conscious interpretation of the world based on sensory systems.

Sensory receptors

Specialized structures that detect specific stimuli from the environment.

Sensory transduction

The process by which sensory receptors convert physical stimuli into electrochemical signals.

Photoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to light; responsible for vision.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in temperature.

Receptive field

The area in which a sensory unit is activated.

Population coding

The process of coding for stimulus intensity through the number of activated receptors.

Two-point discrimination threshold

The minimum distance at which two stimuli can be perceived as separate.

Acuity

The precision with which a stimulus is perceived; influenced by receptive fields.

Graded potential

A change in the membrane potential of a sensory receptor in response to a stimulus.

Myelin sheath

An insulating layer that surrounds the axon of some neurons, speeding up signal transmission.

Sensory pathways

Specific neural pathways that convey sensory information to designated areas of the brain.

Threshold

The minimal stimulus intensity required to trigger a response in a sensory receptor.