Unit 3 APPSY: Sleep and Sensation VOCAB

conduction deafness

a less common form of hearing loss, caused by damage to the mechanical system that conducts sound waves to the cochlea

prosopagnosia

 a form of visual agnosia in which the ability to perceive and recognize faces is impaired, whereas the ability to recognize other objects may be relatively unaffected.

opponent process theory

the theory that opposing retinal processes (red-green, blue-yellow, white-black) enable color vision. For example, some cells are stimulated by green and inhibited by red; others are stimulated by red and inhibited by green. 

sensation

the process by which our sensory receptors and nervous system receive and represent stimulus energies from our environment. 

accommodation

in sensation and perception, the process by which the eye’s lens changes shape to focus near or far objects on the retina. 

skin receptors

a receptor organ in the skin that is responsible for cutaneous experience; such as hot and cold

neurochemical

refers to the chemical processes occurring in the nervous system and process of sensation

REM rebound

the tendency for REM sleep to increase following REM sleep deprivation

somnambulism

 sleep disorder characterized by persistent incidents of complex motor activity during slow-wave NREM sleep. These episodes typically occur during the first hours of sleep and involve getting out of bed and walking, although the individual may also perform more complicated tasks, such as eating, talking, or operating machinery. 

blind spot

the point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye,  no receptor cells are located there.

narcolepsy

a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks. The sufferer may lapse directly into REM sleep, often at inopportune times

semi circular canals

are three fluid-filled tubes in the inner ear that help you sense head rotation and maintain balance

place theory

in hearing, the theory that links the pitch we hear with the place where the cochlea’s membrane is stimulated.

retina

the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information.

ganglion cells

Only type of neuron in the retina that sends signals to the brain resulting from visual stimulation. They receive input from cell – axons of retinol cells from the optic nerve

sleep deprivation

the condition of getting insufficient sleep. This may occur as a result of illness, shiftwork, lifestyle considerations

insomnia

recurring problems in falling or staying asleep

blind spot

The point at which the optic nerve leaves the eye. No receptor cells are located there

consciousness

Our subjective awareness of ourselves and our environment

nREM2

Light sleep characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes

kinesthesis

Our movement sense – our system for sensing the position and movement of individual body parts

Pheromones

A chemical signal that is released outside the body by members of a species and that influences the behavior of other members of the same species

shift work

Work schedule during the swing shift (usually 4 PM to 12 AM).

suprachiasmatic nucleus

Small unit of the hypothalamus in the brain, above the optic chiasm, that is the location of a circadian oscillator, which controls circadian rhythms. It receives direct input from the retina.

sensory adaptation

Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation

memory consolidation

the neural storage of a long term memory

pitch

a tone’s experienced highness or lowness, depends on frequency

cones

Receptors that are concentrated near the center of the retina and that function in daylight or well it conditions. It detect fine detail and give rise to colors sensations

skin receptors

A receptor organ in the skin that is responsible for cutaneous experience such as hot and cold

photoreceptors

a visual receptor; a retinal rod or a retinal cone

amplitude

The measurement of the waves height, or the maximum displacement of vibrating particles from their main position. It's a critical property of sound waves that determines the loudness and intensity of a sound

REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep; a recurring sleep stage during vivid dreams commonly occur. Also known as paradox or sleep because the muscles are relaxed except for minor twitches but other body systems are active

hypnagogic sensation

Bizarre experiences, such as jerking or a feeling of falling or floating weightless, while transitioning to sleep

circadian rhythms

Our biological clock; regular body rhythms (for example, of temperature and wakefulness) that occur on a 24 hour cycle

lens

The transparent structure behind the people that changes shape to help focus images on the retina

Absolute Threshold

the minimum stimulus energy needed to detect a particular stimulus 50 percent of the time.

Activation Synthesis

Attributes the experience of dreams to high levels of limbic system activity during REM sleep.

afterimage

An optical illusion that refers to an image continuing to appear after exposure to the original image has ceased. Prolonged viewing of the colored patch induces an image of the complementary color

Blindsight

a condition in which a person can respond to a visual stimulus without consciously experiencing it

Consolidation Dream Theory

Dreams help us sort out the day’s events and consolidate memories.

Dichromatism

partial color blindness in which the eye contains only two types of cone photopigment instead of the typical three: Lack of the third pigment leads to confusion between certain colors.

Farsightedness

a refractive error due to an abnormally short eyeball, which causes the image of close objects to be blurred because the focal point of one or both eyes lies behind, rather than on, the retina.

Fovea

the central focal point in the retina, around which the eye’s cones cluster.

Frequency Theory

in hearing, the theory that the rate of nerve impulses traveling up the auditory nerve matches the frequency of a tone, thus enabling us to sense its pitch.

Gate Control Theory

the theory that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that blocks pain signals or allows them to pass on to the brain. The “gate” is opened by the activity of pain signals traveling up small nerve fibers and is closed by activity in larger fibers or by information coming from the brain

Gustation

the sense of taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami, oleogustus

jet Lag

a maladjustment of circadian rhythms that results from traveling through several time zones in a short span of time. Rest, work, eating, body temperature, and adrenocortical-secretion cycles may require several days to adjust to local time.

Medium Taster:

someone with an average ability to sense different flavors. This is a genetically inherited trait, and is determined by a person's sensitivity to a chemical called 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP)

Monochromatism

a partial color blindness in which the eye contains only one type of cone photopigment instead of the typical three: Everything appears in various shades of a single color.

Nearsightedness

a refractive error due to an abnormally long eye: The retinal image is blurred because the focal point of one or both eyes lies in front of, rather than on, the retina.

Non Taster

have a lower sensitivity to PROP and can’t taste it at all. They have fewer than 15 fungiform papillae on their tongue.

NREM 1

a regular pattern of occipital alpha waves characteristic of a relaxed state becomes intermittent in; marked by drowsiness with upward-rolling eye movements.

NREM 3

delta waves predominate this sleep stage; deepest level of sleep.

Phantom Limb Sensation

the feeling that an amputated limb is still present, often manifested as a tingling or, occasionally, painful sensation in the area of the missing limb.

Rods

retinal receptors that detect black, white, and gray, and are sensitive to movement; necessary for peripheral and twilight vision, when cones don’t respond.

Sensorineural Deafness

hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea’s receptor cells or to the auditory nerves; the most common form of hearing loss, also called nerve deafness.

Sleep

a periodic, natural loss of consciousness — as distinct from unconsciousness resulting from a coma, general anesthesia, or hibernation.

Sleep Apnea

a sleep disorder characterized by temporary cessations of breathing during sleep and repeated momentary awakenings.

Sound Localization

the ability to identify the position and changes in position of sound sources based on acoustic information.

Super Taster

Have a higher sensitivity to PROP and find it extremely bitter. They have more than 30 fungiform papillae on their tongue.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

sleep disorder in which you physically and vocally act out vivid, often unpleasant dreams during REM sleep.

Olfactory

the sense of smell

Just Noticeable Difference

the smallest difference between two stimuli that can be consistently and accurately detected on 50% of trials