Sensation - AP Psychology

1. What is transduction in sensation?

   Transduction is the conversion of stimuli into neural signals. It's the first step in all sensory processing.

2. What is the function of the cornea in the eye?

   The cornea focuses light onto the retina. It provides most of the eye's refractive power.

3. Identify the main chemical sensed by olfactory receptors.

   Olfactory receptors sense volatile chemicals. These airborne molecules bind to receptors in the nasal cavity.

4. Define proprioception.

   Proprioception is the sense of body position and movement. It helps with coordination and spatial awareness.

5. Which part of the brain processes visual information?

   The occipital lobe processes visual information. It's located at the back of the brain.

6. What is sensory adaptation?

   Sensory adaptation is the decrease in sensitivity to a constant stimulus. It prevents sensory overload from unchanging stimuli.

7. What does signal detection theory examine?

   Signal detection theory examines decision-making processes under conditions of uncertainty. It considers both sensory and psychological factors in detection.

8. Define the role of hair cells in the ear.

   Hair cells in the ear transduce sound vibrations into neural signals. They bend with sound waves and trigger nerve impulses.

9. Identify the sensory modality processed by the somatosensory cortex.

   The somatosensory cortex processes touch and proprioceptive information. It's located in the parietal lobe behind the motor cortex.

10. Define difference threshold.

    The difference threshold is the smallest detectable difference between two stimuli. Also called the just noticeable difference (JND).

11. Which sensory receptor is involved in detecting pain?

    Nociceptors are involved in detecting pain. They respond to tissue damage and harmful stimuli.

12. Which sensory system processes taste?

    The gustatory system processes taste. It detects chemical compounds dissolved in saliva.

13. What is the function of cones in the retina?

    Cones are responsible for color vision and detail. They function best in bright light conditions.

14. What does the term 'subliminal stimuli' refer to?

    Subliminal stimuli are below the threshold of conscious perception. They may still influence behavior without conscious awareness.

15. Identify the function of sensory receptors.

    Sensory receptors detect environmental stimuli. They are specialized cells that respond to specific energy forms.

16. What is the gate control theory of pain?

    The gate control theory posits that spinal 'gates' regulate pain signals to the brain. It explains how pain signals can be blocked or enhanced.

17. What is the primary function of the skin's mechanoreceptors?

    Mechanoreceptors detect touch, pressure, and vibration. They respond to physical deformation of the skin.

18. What is the role of the olfactory system?

    The olfactory system is responsible for the sense of smell. It detects airborne chemical molecules through the nose.

19. What is the role of nociceptors?

    Nociceptors detect signals of pain and potential harm. They are specialized pain receptors throughout the body.

20. What is Weber's Law?

    Weber's Law states that the ratio of the increment threshold to the background intensity is constant. It explains why we notice proportional rather than absolute changes.

21. What is the role of the thalamus in sensation?

    The thalamus relays sensory information to the appropriate brain areas. It acts as a sensory relay station to the cortex.

22. What is the function of taste buds?

    Taste buds detect chemicals in food and convey taste information. They are located on the tongue and in the mouth.

23. Which part of the eye is responsible for detecting light?

    The retina is responsible for detecting light. It contains photoreceptors that convert light into neural signals.

24. What is the cochlea's role in hearing?

    The cochlea converts sound waves into neural signals. It's the snail-shaped structure in the inner ear.

25. What is referred pain?

    Referred pain is pain perceived at a location other than the site of the stimulus. This occurs due to shared neural pathways.

26. Which part of the eye adjusts to focus light?

    The lens adjusts to focus light on the retina. It changes shape through accommodation for near and far vision.

27. What is the difference between sensation and perception?

    Sensation is detecting stimuli; perception is interpreting them. Sensation is physical; perception involves mental interpretation.

28. What is sensation in the context of psychology?

    Sensation is the process of detecting external stimuli and converting them into neural signals. It's the initial step before perception interprets the signals.

29. Which structure in the ear is responsible for balance?

    The vestibular system is responsible for balance. It contains the semicircular canals and otolith organs.

30. Identify the primary taste sensations.

    The primary taste sensations are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. These five tastes cover the basic categories humans detect.

31. What is the absolute threshold in sensation?

    The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulus intensity detected 50% of the time. It measures the weakest stimulus that can be reliably detected.

32. Identify the role of the optic nerve.

    The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. It's the pathway connecting the eye to the visual cortex.

33. What is the function of the auditory cortex?

    The auditory cortex processes sounds and auditory information. It's located in the temporal lobe of each hemisphere.

34. Identify the primary function of the auditory system.

    The auditory system is responsible for hearing. It detects sound waves and converts them to neural impulses.

35. Which sensory system is responsible for vision?

    The visual system is responsible for vision. It includes the eyes and visual processing pathways.

36. What is the blind spot in the visual field?

    The blind spot is an area with no photoreceptors where the optic nerve exits the eye. We normally don't notice it due to binocular vision.

37. What is the primary function of the iris?

    The iris controls the size of the pupil and the amount of light entering the eye. It dilates and constricts to regulate light exposure.

38. What is the function of rods in the retina?

    Rods are responsible for vision in low light conditions. They are highly sensitive but don't detect color.

39. What is the primary function of thermoreceptors?

    Thermoreceptors detect changes in temperature. They help maintain body temperature and detect environmental heat.

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