structure
learn vocabulary (mnemonics)
learn connections (prior knowledge) (rephrase in personal words)
learn pathways
learn strategies for effective retention and application of new knowledge. (testing (Evolve ,Canvas, Chat GPT), imagery, videos)
every sensor has a unique reaction to a particular chemical
action potential gathers depending on input
Rods → rhodopsin → flickering lights involuntary and triggered by light (exiting a movie theater, rods are bleached)
sounds enter semi circular canals for balance (think hogwarts legacy broom riding through the rings)
sensory → stimulating neuron signals that then travel to brain
stimulus = in from receptors
affarent = delivery into CNS
efferent = away from CNS
response via motor neuron
i relax when eating a banana (potassium in due to repolarization)
3 dablooms for 2 bannanas (3 Na+ outside, 2 K+ inside) demonstrates the sodium-potassium pump's role in maintaining the membrane potential during action potential propagation.
Neuron = the cell.
Axon = the wire carrying the electrical signal.
Synapse = the communication junction between cells.
Neurotransmitter = the chemical messenger that crosses the gap.
Action potential = the electrical pulse that triggers neurotransmitter release. (THINK: Two people passing a note)
cornea is located at the center of the eye
it is a transparent layer that allows for light to enter in
cornea reminds me of curtains
sclera is the white parts of the eye
sclera is a layer around the entirety of the eye that holds the contents inside
it reminds me of the word “school” and the saying, “stay in school (sclera)”
lens is located behind the cornea
the lens changes shape in order to focus on objects
Lens reminds me of searchlights in how it manipulates the direction of the lights
The iris is located in front of the lens and holds the pulpils
the iris allows light to enter inside the eye depending on the intensity
the Iris reminds me of the aperture of a camera, as both operate to control the amount of light that passes through, enhancing the clarity of the image captured.
the cilliary muscles attach to the lens and allows it to change its shape
the cilliary muscles aid in movement of the lens
the cilliary muscles remind me of spider webs
the choroid layer is inside the scelera
the choroid layer is responsible for supplying oxygen and blood to retina
the choroid layer reminds me of the word “circulation”
The retina is located below the choroid layer and extends to the stem of the eye
the retina is responsible for detecting light intensity and wavelength (color) also houses the rods and cones as well as relaying the information through the optic nerve
The retina reminds me of a building that houses rods and cones.
Rods and cones are located in the layer of retina
rods and cones are cells that detect the light intensity and color respectively
rods = black and white
cones = colors (both share the letter ‘c’)
cornea = curtain, allows light inside the eye
sclera = whites of the eye, holds the shape (sclera = shape)
iris = color of the eye, can adjust the pupil size
lens = moves and adjusts the direction of light through the cilliary muscles (cillian murphy)
choroid = vasvular, supplies retina with blood, nutrients
retina = director, allows to process the light via rods and cones (assistance) as well as through other receptors
optic nerves = cable, connects the eye to the brain, allows for signals to be passed on
cilliary body = controls the lens with the muscles
creates aqueous humor
THINK: CCC = Cilian murphy creates tear jerking movies (aqueous humor)
Cillian Murphy is an actor and director who makes movies (controls the lens)
suspensory ligaments = cables attached to the lens
Aqueous humor = water, cornea and lens
vitreous = Very thick jelly
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lecture 8/4/2026
adaptaion = brain learns to fire other neurons and may fire particular sensory ones less and less as it adapts
why does projection happen in our senses/brain?
what is pain’s relationship to adaption and why?
What association can i make with pain receptors and components? What are the pathways for the brain?
What is the distinct difference between general senses and special senses? What are they composed of?
What can block pain receptors and how?
What is the process behind reflexes and how does it occur as a reaction? Why might we need reflexes? whats the difference between a regular motor response versus something like a reflex?
What association can i make to remember the pain assessment scale? How can i determine a pattern with the pain scale?
What is the chest pain protocol? What should trigger the chest pain protocol to be performed?
Do most receptors have a threshold? What are the main receptors that rely on thresholds?
What are receptors? where are they formed? why do we need them? what can i associate receptors with?
How does our brain determine our position without us looking directly? how does proprioception work?
How are chemicals translated into neural signals? Where can we find this process occurring in the brain? How are the cerebral lobes involved?
What can causes damages to our sensory receptors? Whats a scenario of this happening? How did COVID affect this?
What are the functions of tears? where do we produce these tears?
How and why does the lens expand? how does it appear visually? what associations can i make with this process?
What cranial nerves are connected to the optic discs?
What are the optic discs? what is it called? where is it located?
What is the macula and where is it located? How does the macula interact with light and the structures around it?
What happens to the retina when we strain our eyes too often?
What are the three tunics?
What associations can i use to recall the tunics of the eye?
Why is the optic disc considered a blind spot?
Why are carrots associated with good eyesight?
Why does lasik surgery contain many risks during its process?
What happens if proteins are not contained within the capillaries inside the eye?
How do cataracts appear?
what is atropine?
what is muscarinic antagonist?
How do opioids change the pupils?
How does antimuscarinics change the pupils?
How does distance and near sights provoke the lens to change size and shape?
What receptors are involved in identifying changes in the eye?
Where is the filter system of the eye located? what happens if this system is blocked?
What is retinal detachment and how does it occur?
Where does the aqueous humor drain from?
What term means dilation of pupil?
Do children and adult ear formation and function vary?
Why is it important to do a deep cleaning of cerumen inside the ear canals?
Why is the vestibule considered important for balance?
Why cant astronauts not feel the effects of being upside down in space?
Can being drunk affect the vestibular?
is frequency and amplitude found in light and sound?
How does the organ of corti function and where is it located?
How does listening to loud music affect the organ of corti?
How can infections occur within the ear?
How do we get symptoms such as fevers from ear infections?
Why does strep throat affect the ear?
Why do children commonly receive otitis media?
Which pathway carries sound vibrations through the skull bones to stimulate the inner ear?
Which cerebral lobe primarily processes hearing?
Which tube connects the middle ear with the pharynx?
Memorize vocabulary such as
receptors - detect, special cells or nerve endings
chemicals - carry messages, composed of naturally occurring molecules
senses - they detect changes inside/outside body
general senses - found everywhere in the body
special senses - found in special organs
neurotransmitters - chemical messengers
antagonist in medication - blocks receptor
agonist medication - binds to receptor, activates
Miosis - pupil contact = smaller
Mydriasis - pupil dilates, larger
Endolymph - special fluid inside the membranous labyrinth of inner ear
frequency in light - how many waves pass (occurance)
amplitude in light - determines intensity
vitreous humor - jelly, found behind the lens, front of retina, supports retina position
Canal of Schlemm - drainage system, inside the eye between iris and cornea
Refraction - bending of light due to speed
Projection - parts of body receiving a response order
Accommodation - lens changing shape depending on distance
Adaptation - the process by which organisms adjust to changes in their environment to improve their chances of survival.
Superior Rectus Muscle - moves eye up, attached to top
Conjunctivitis - pink eye
Glaucoma - proteins free from capillaries, stick to the retina, leading to increased intraocular pressure and potential vision loss.
Cataract
Straibismus - a condition where the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object, often resulting in double vision or impaired depth perception.
Prebyopia- a common age-related condition where the eye's lens loses flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects, thus necessitating the use of reading glasses.
Astigmatism - a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, leading to blurred or distorted vision at any distance.
nystagmus - a condition characterized by involuntary, rapid movements of the eyes, which can affect vision and balance, often requiring specialized treatment.
emmetropia - the state of clear vision where the light entering the eye is perfectly focused on the retina, resulting in normal visual acuity without the need for corrective lenses.
myopia - a common refractive error where distant objects appear blurry while close objects can be seen clearly, often due to the eyeball being too long or the cornea being too curved.
Conjunctiva - a thin, transparent membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and lines the inside of the eyelids, serving to protect and lubricate the eye.
Optic nerve - the nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain, allowing for the perception of images and essential for normal vision.
Semicircular canals - three fluid-filled structures in the inner ear responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation by detecting head movement and changes in position.
Eustachian tube - a narrow tube that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, playing a critical role in equalizing pressure on either side of the eardrum and facilitating proper hearing.
Endolymph - the fluid within the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear that plays a vital role in transmitting sound vibrations and maintaining balance by influencing the hair cells located in the cochlea and semicircular canals.
Proprioception - the sensory process that allows individuals to perceive the position and movement of their own body parts, which is crucial for coordinating movements and maintaining balance.
Medial and lateral canthus - the junctions of the upper and lower eyelids, on both sides of the eye; they are important anatomical landmarks that assist in drainage of tears and provide structural support to the eye.
Tactile receptors - special sensory nerve endings located in the skin and various tissues that respond to touch, pressure, vibration, and temperature, enabling the perception of tactile stimuli and contributing to our overall sensory experience.
Prebyopia - a common age-related vision condition characterized by the gradual loss of the eye's ability to focus on nearby objects, often necessitating the use of reading glasses.
Rhodospin - a light-sensitive receptor protein found in the photoreceptor cells of the retina, crucial for the process of vision in low-light conditions, as it helps in the conversion of light into electrical signals sent to the brain.
Pharynx - a muscular tube that serves both respiratory and digestive functions, connecting the mouth and nasal cavity to the esophagus and larynx, playing a critical role in swallowing and the pathway for air to the lungs.