bio264lab/md6

Sensory (Afferent) Pathways

Pathways that carry information from the body to the brain and spinal cord.

Motor (Efferent) Pathways

Pathways that send commands from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands.

Sensory Receptor Activation

The process where a stimulus triggers sensory receptors.

First-order neurons

Neurons that transmit action potentials to the spinal cord via the dorsal root ganglion.

Thalamus

Brain region where second-order neurons relay sensory signals to third-order neurons.

Somatosensory cortex

Brain region in the parietal lobe that interprets sensory information.

Motor Command Initiation

Process where the motor cortex generates an action potential.

Upper Motor Neuron

Neurons that carry signals from the brain to the spinal cord.

Lower Motor Neuron

Neurons that activate the target muscle.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction.

Olfaction

The sense of smell, enabling detection of airborne chemical molecules.

Odorant

Airborne chemical molecules detected by the olfactory system.

Olfactory receptors

Specialized receptors that bind to odorants in the nasal cavity.

Olfactory Bulb

Brain structure that processes smells and sends signals to the olfactory cortex.

Limbic System

Brain structures involved in emotion and memory that are connected to olfaction.

Taste Receptors

Receptors that interact with chemicals from food to detect taste.

Cranial Nerves VII, IX, and X

Nerves that transmit taste signals to the brain.

Taste Buds

Structures containing taste receptors for different taste modalities.

Five Basic Taste Modalities

Sweet, Salty, Sour, Bitter, and Umami (Savory).

Neuromuscular Junction

The site where nerve signals cause muscle contractions.

Proprioception

The sense that helps detect the position of body parts.

Chemical substances in food

What gustation detects to contribute to flavor perception.

Emotional memories

Memories triggered by smells due to the olfactory system’s connection with the limbic system.

Spinal Cord

The part of the Central Nervous System where sensory signals are initially transmitted.

Brainstem

Part of the Central Nervous System through which upper motor neuron signals descend.

Conscious perception

The awareness of sensory information processed by the brain.

Interaction with saliva

How taste receptors detect chemicals from food during the gustation process.

Hazards detection

The role of olfaction in identifying dangers like smoke or spoiled food.

Essential nutrients identification

The function of gustation in helping to identify valuable dietary components.

Action potentials

Electrical signals that transmit information along neurons.

Microvilli

Structures on taste receptor cells that interact with dissolved chemicals.

Savory (Umami)

A taste modality that detects amino acids, enhancing flavor perception.

Chemical detection

Primary function of both olfaction and gustation in sensory processing.

Temperature detection

A type of sensory information carried by sensory pathways.