Biological Basis of Behavior: Vision & Audition Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to vision and audition from the provided lecture notes.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of wavelengths that the human eye can detect, specifically between 380 nm and 760 nm.

Hue

Perception of color, which depends on the wavelength of light; short wavelengths are seen as violet, and long wavelengths are seen as red.

Brightness

The perception of intensity of light, which depends on the amplitude of the waves; greater amplitude results in brighter light.

Saturation

The perception of purity in color, determined by the similarity of the wavelengths received by the eyes.

Cornea

The transparent outer layer of the eye that allows light to enter.

Pupil

The opening in the eye that regulates the amount of light entering.

Lens

A series of transparent layers that change shape to focus light onto the retina.

Cones

Photoreceptors in the retina that provide color vision, primarily active in daylight and responsible for detecting small details.

Rods

Photoreceptors that are more sensitive to light than cones, but provide poorer acuity, primarily active in low-light conditions.

Fovea

The central region of the retina where cones are concentrated, providing the most acute vision.

Transduction

The process by which light energy is converted into electrical signals in photoreceptors leading to visual perception.

Optic Nerve

A bundle of axons from ganglion cells that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.

Dorsal Stream

The visual processing pathway that is responsible for processing spatial location and movement.

Ventral Stream

The visual processing pathway that is responsible for processing form and color.

Blindsight

A condition where individuals cannot consciously see but can respond to visual stimuli; pathways are intact but conscious perception is impaired.

Pinna

The external part of the ear that funnels sound into the ear canal.

Tympanic Membrane

The membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves, transmitting vibrations to the ossicles.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that amplify sound vibrations.

Cochlea

A fluid-filled, snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that contains auditory transduction mechanisms.

Organ of Corti

The sensory organ within the cochlea that converts fluid motion into electrical signals for hearing.

Audition Pathway

The route through which sound information is processed, including anterior stream for complex sounds and posterior stream for sound localization.