Higher-Level Vision and Auditory Perception

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to higher-level vision and auditory perception, including anatomy, functions, and theories.

Higher-Level Vision

The brain's process of organizing data received from the retina through hierarchical analysis, creating more complete representations.

Optic Chiasm

The part of the brain where the optic nerves cross, allowing visual information from both eyes to be processed.

Feature Detectors

Neurons in Area V1 of the visual cortex that respond to specific visual features, such as edges and angles.

Ventral Stream

The pathway in the brain responsible for object identification, also referred to as the 'what' pathway.

Dorsal Stream

The pathway in the brain responsible for localization and motion processing, known as the 'where' pathway.

Frequency (Pitch)

A property of sound measured in Hertz (Hz), indicative of how high or low a sound is.

Amplitude (Loudness)

A property of sound measured in decibels (dB), reflecting the intensity or loudness of sound.

Cochlea

A fluid-filled structure in the inner ear essential for hearing, where sound waves are converted to neural signals.

Basilar Membrane

A membrane in the cochlea that contains hair cells (auditory cilia) and is involved in sound transduction.

Frequency Theory

The theory stating that pitch perception is determined by the frequency of auditory neuron firing.

Place Theory

The theory that different pitches are perceived based on the location of stimulation on the basilar membrane.

Sound Localization

The process of determining the location of a sound source, using cues like interaural timing and intensity.

Olfactory Epithelium

The mucous membrane in the nasal cavity containing olfactory receptor neurons crucial for the sense of smell.

Olfactory Bulb

A structure above the nasal cavity responsible for processing scent information before it goes to the olfactory cortex.

Primary Olfactory Cortex

The brain region located in the anterior temporal lobe that processes olfactory information and links it to emotions and memory.