AP Psychology Unit 1b: Sleep and Sensation

How does transduction occur within the nose?

Transduction in the nose occurs when odor molecules bind to olfactory receptors, triggering a neural response that is sent to the brain.

Why is smell so closely linked to memory and emotion?

Smell is closely linked to memory and emotion because the olfactory bulb is directly connected to the limbic system, which is involved in emotional responses and memory formation.

Why is taste an essential part of human evolution?

Taste is essential for survival as it helps humans identify nutritious food and avoid harmful substances.

How does transduction occur within the tongue?

Transduction in the tongue occurs when taste molecules interact with taste receptor cells, leading to the generation of neural signals sent to the brain.

What are the 6 basic tastes?

The 6 basic tastes are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami, and fat.

What are supertasters?

Supertasters are individuals with a heightened sensitivity to taste, often experiencing flavors more intensely than average tasters.

What are the 4 sensations that our skin receptors can feel?

The 4 sensations are touch, temperature, pain, and pressure.

How does transduction occur in skin?

Transduction in skin occurs when sensory receptors detect stimuli such as pressure or temperature and convert them into neural signals.

How does Gate Control Theory help to explain pain processing?

Gate Control Theory suggests that pain signals can be modulated by the nervous system, where non-painful input can close the 'gates' to painful input, reducing the perception of pain.

What is Phantom Limb Theory?

Phantom Limb Theory explains the phenomenon where amputees feel sensations or pain in a limb that is no longer present.

What is the vestibular system?

The vestibular system is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation, detecting changes in head position and movement.

What defines consciousness?

Consciousness is defined as the state of being aware of and able to think about one's own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.

Is sleep a form of consciousness?

Yes, sleep is considered a form of consciousness, albeit altered, where awareness of the environment is diminished.

What is the evolutionary component of sleep?

The evolutionary component of sleep suggests that sleep provides adaptive advantages, such as energy conservation and protection from predators.

What is the circadian rhythm?

The circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, roughly following a 24-hour cycle.

Which part of the brain controls circadian rhythm?

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus controls circadian rhythm.

What is the relationship between light/darkness and sleep?

Light exposure influences the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep; darkness promotes melatonin release, facilitating sleep.

Which hormones and neurotransmitters help with sleep and wakefulness?

Melatonin promotes sleep, while neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine are involved in wakefulness.

Differentiate between non-REM stages of sleep (N1, N2, and N3/4).

N1 is light sleep, N2 is moderate sleep with sleep spindles, and N3/4 is deep sleep, crucial for physical restoration.

What is REM sleep?

REM sleep is a sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movement, increased brain activity, and vivid dreaming.

How many stages does a person cycle through in a night?

A person typically cycles through 4 to 6 stages of sleep in a night, including both non-REM and REM stages.

What is the activation synthesis theory of dreams?

The activation synthesis theory posits that dreams are the brain's attempt to make sense of random neural activity during sleep.

What is the memory consolidation theory of dreams?

The memory consolidation theory suggests that dreams play a role in processing and organizing memories from the day.

What is the difference between sensation and perception?

Sensation is the process of detecting physical stimuli, while perception is the interpretation of those sensory signals.

What is absolute threshold?

Absolute threshold is the minimum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected 50% of the time.

What is difference threshold (JND)?

Difference threshold, or just noticeable difference (JND), is the smallest change in stimulus intensity that can be detected.

How does Weber's Law help to explain difference thresholds?

Weber's Law states that the difference threshold is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity, meaning larger stimuli require larger changes to be noticed.

How does sensory adaptation help to explain differences between individuals' sensory experiences?

Sensory adaptation refers to the diminished sensitivity to a stimulus after prolonged exposure, leading to variations in sensory experiences among individuals.

Explain the fundamentals of light waves.

Light waves are electromagnetic waves that vary in wavelength and frequency, determining color and intensity.

How does transduction occur in the eye?

Transduction in the eye occurs when light hits the retina, where photoreceptors convert light into neural signals.

Differentiate between the functions of rods vs. cones.

Rods are responsible for vision in low light and peripheral vision, while cones are responsible for color vision and detail in bright light.

What is the blind spot?

where the optic nerve leaves the eye

What is myopia?

nearsightedness, have trouble seeing objects at a distance

What is Young Helmholtz Trichromatic Color Theory?

A theory that explains color perception based on three types of color receptors in the eye.

What is Opponent Process Theory?

the theory that opposing retinal processes (red-green, yellow-blue, white-black) enable color vision

What is dichromatic color blindness?

form of color vision deficiency where a person has only two of the three types of cone cells in their eyes that are responsible for color perception

What is face blindness (prosopagnosia)?

a neurological condition that impairs the ability to recognize faces.

Where does transduction occur in the ear?

Transduction in the ear occurs in the cochlea, where sound waves are converted into neural signals by hair cells.

How do Place Theory, Frequency Theory, Volley Theory, and Localization Theory explain sound perception?

These theories explain sound perception by detailing how different frequencies are processed: Place Theory focuses on location of stimulation, Frequency Theory on the rate of neural firing, Volley Theory on groups of neurons firing, and Localization Theory on determining sound direction.

What is the difference between conduction deafness and sensorineural deafness?

Conduction deafness is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear preventing sound from reaching the inner ear, while sensorineural deafness is due to damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.