Lab Quiz 2 Topics

BIOL 235 Lab Quiz 2 Topics

It is important to review lab materials thoroughly in preparation for quizzes, as they will cover an extensive range of topics from the labs. Each lab quiz consists of 10 questions designed to evaluate students' understanding of the material covered in the previous sessions. These quizzes will take place at the beginning of the lab session, which encourages prompt and prepared attendance. Students are allocated 15 minutes to complete the quiz, thus time management during this period is crucial for success.

LAB 3: Hearing

Types of Receptors in the Ear for Hearing

• Specialized cells located within the cochlea are responsible for detecting sound vibrations, crucial for the auditory process.

• Hair cells serve as the primary sensory receptors for hearing; they transform sound wave vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.

Transmission of Sound Vibrations

• Sound waves enter the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate, initiating a chain reaction in the auditory system.

• The vibration of the eardrum causes movement in the ossicles (the three small bones in the middle ear: malleus, incus, and stapes), amplifying the sound waves before they reach the cochlea.

• These mechanical movements are then transferred to fluid within the cochlea, which stimulates hair cells to generate neural impulses.

• The auditory nerve carries these impulses to the brain, where they are processed and interpreted as sounds.

Amplitude and Frequency of Sound Waves

• Amplitude: Represents the volume or loudness of the sound; larger amplitudes correspond to louder sounds. Understanding amplitude is essential for recognizing how sound intensity can affect human perception of sound.

• Frequency: Relates to the pitch of the sound; higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) and plays a critical role in distinguishing between different sounds.

Types of Deafness

1. Conductive Deafness: This type is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound waves from being conducted to the inner ear. Conditions such as ear infections or blockage in the auditory canal can lead to conductive deafness, which is often temporary or treatable.

2. Sensorineural Deafness: This form is a result of damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve and is often permanent, affecting the ability to hear certain frequencies. Factors such as aging, exposure to loud noises, or genetic predispositions can contribute to this type of hearing loss.

LAB 4: Introduction to Data Collection; Nervous System

Different Types of Receptors

• Exteroceptors: These receptors detect external stimuli such as touch, light, sound, and temperature, playing a vital role in interaction with the surrounding environment.

• Interoceptors: These monitor internal body conditions, including hunger, thirst, and the state of internal organs, providing critical feedback for homeostasis.

• Proprioceptors: Found in muscles and joints, these receptors sense body position and movement, contributing to balance and coordination.

• Mechanoreceptors: These react to mechanical pressure or distortion, fundamental for sensations such as touch and hearing.

• Chemoreceptors: These respond to chemical stimuli, essential for the senses of taste and smell, and are integral in monitoring bodily fluids.

• Thermoreceptors: These detect changes in temperature, which is crucial for thermoregulation and sensory perception of thermal environments.

• Photoreceptors: Located in the retina of the eye, these receptors react to light; rods are more sensitive to low light levels while cones respond to higher light levels and are responsible for color vision.

Tonic vs Phasic Receptors

• Tonic Receptors: Adapt slowly to stimuli and continue to produce action potentials over the duration of the stimulus (e.g., pain receptors are continuously active as long as the pain stimulus is present, allowing for sustained awareness of harm).

• Phasic Receptors: These adapt quickly and respond only at the beginning of a stimulus; they cease firing once the stimulus is continuous (e.g., smell receptors become less responsive to a constant odor), which allows for focused attention on new stimuli.