Structure of General Sensory Receptors

Structure of General Sensory Receptors
1. Differentiate between interoceptors and exteroceptors relative to location and stimulus source.
interoceptor:
exteroceptor:
2. A number of activities and sensations are listed in the chart below. For each, check whether the receptors would be exteroceptors or interoceptors; and then name the specific receptor types. (Because specific visceral receptors were not described in detail in this exercise, you need only indicate that the receptor is a visceral receptor if it falls into that category.)

Doing sit-ups
The “‘too full” sensation
Receptor Physiology
3. Explain how the sensory receptors act as transducers.
4. Define stimulus.
5. What was demonstrated by the two-point discrimination test?
How well did your results correspond to your predictions?
What is the relationship between the accuracy of the subject’s tactile localization and the results of the two-point discrimination test?
6. Define punctate distribution.
7. Several questions regarding general sensation are posed below. Answer each by placing your response in the appropriately numbered blanks to the right.
1. VVhich cutaneous receptors are the most numerous?
23. Which two body areas tested were most sensitive to touch?
45. Which two body areas tested were least sensitive to touch?
68. Where would referred pain appear if the following organs were receiving painful stimuli: (6) gallbladder, (7) kidneys, and (8) appendix? (Use your textbook if necessary.)
9. VVhere was referred pain felt when the elbow was immersed in ice water during the laboratory experiment?
10. What region of the cerebrum interprets the kind and intensity of stimuli that cause cutaneous sensations?
1.
23.

6.

8. 9.

10.
8. Define adaptation ofsensory receptors.
9. Why is it advantageous to have pain receptors that are sensitive to all vigorous stimuli, whether heat, cold, or pressure?
Why is the nonadaptability of pain receptors important?
10. Imagine yourself without any cutaneous sense organs. Why might this be very dangerous?
Why This Matters
11. Explain why “brain freeze” is a type of referred pain.
12. Describe the location of the stimulus for “brain freeze” and the location of the pain
(as interpreted by the brain).