6. Case Study Six Quiz - Human Physiology and Immunology: Micturition, Sweat Glands, Proprioception, Inflammation, and Vaccinations

What is the micturition reflex in adults?

In adults, it involves stretch receptors in the bladder stimulating action potentials to the spinal CNS, activating the SNS to relax the detrusor muscle and contract the internal sphincter, allowing voluntary control of urination.

How does the micturition reflex differ in infants and toddlers who are not toilet trained?

In infants, the urge to void is not recognized, leading to relaxation of the external sphincter without voluntary control, which also relaxes the internal sphincter.

What glands produce the damp sweaty footprints left by Sasha's toddler?

Eccrine glands produce the clear, odorless sweat that leads to damp footprints.

How does sweat production differ between eccrine glands and apocrine glands?

Eccrine glands secrete a clear, odorless fluid for thermoregulation, while apocrine glands secrete a water/oil mix that can produce odor when mixed with bacteria.

What is proprioception?

It is the sense of body position and movement, relying on sensory input from muscles, tendons, skin, and joints.

Which structures in the body contain proprioceptors?

They are found in muscles, tendons, skin, and joints.

How does the cerebellum use proprioceptive input?

It integrates proprioceptive input with motor commands from the cerebral cortex to fine-tune movements, ensuring balance, coordination, and smoothness.

What are the physiological mechanisms of inflammation that cause redness, swelling, pain, and heat?

Redness and heat result from vasodilation increasing blood flow; swelling is due to increased blood vessel permeability; pain arises from pressure on nerves and inflammatory chemicals activating nociceptors.

What is an opportunistic infection?

This occurs when normally harmless organisms, like Staphylococcus aureus, cause disease when the immune system is weakened or when barriers, like skin, are broken.

Why is Staphylococcus aureus considered an opportunistic pathogen?

It is part of the normal flora on skin and mucous membranes but can cause infection if it crosses barriers due to skin breaks or a compromised immune system.

Why are vaccinations considered an example of active artificially acquired immunity?

They stimulate an immune response through exposure to antigens, leading to the development of immunity, which is classified as artificially acquired because it does not occur through natural infection.