6.3.1.1 Sensory Neurons

• What happens when you touch a hot pan?

  Sensory neurons send signals to the brain
• What types of signals do sensory neurons pick up?

  Signals from senses like temperature and light
• What is the role of the axon in a sensory neuron?

  Transmits electrical signals
• What do synaptic end bulbs release to communicate with other neurons?

  Chemicals
• Where do sensory neurons carry information to?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of interneurons in the sensory pathway?

  They relay signals to the thalamus
• Why do sensory neurons convert physical things into electrical signals?

  So the brain can understand the information
• Where are unipolar sensory neurons commonly located?

  Olfactory system
• What is the role of oligodendrocytes in the nervous system?

  • Oligodendrocytes produce the myelin sheath that insulates axons
  • This myelin sheath increases the speed of electrical signal transmission
• What are sensory neurons?

  Messengers that transmit information to the brain
• What are the key differences between the four neuron types shown (Unipolar, Bipolar, Pseudounipolar, Multipolar)?

  • Unipolar: Single process extending from cell body
  • Bipolar: Two processes extending from cell body
  • Pseudounipolar: Single process that splits into two
  • Multipolar: Multiple processes extending from cell body
• What is the role of the upper motor neuron from the cortex?

  The upper motor neuron from the cortex executes a motor command.
• What are the types of sensory neurons and their characteristics?

  • Unipolar: Single process, located in olfactory system
  • Bipolar: Cell body between dendrites/axon, found in eyes and ears
  • Pseudounipolar: Modified bipolar with fused processes, located in skin and muscles
• What is the function of the lower motor neuron?

  The lower motor neuron causes contraction of the target skeletal muscle
• What happens when you listen to music in terms of sensory neurons?

  Sensory neurons convert vibrations into electrical signals
• What is the role of the brain and spinal cord in processing sensory information?

  They process the sensory information received
• What are the three main forms of sensory neurons?

  Unipolar, bipolar, pseudounipolar
• What is the signal path of unipolar sensory neurons?

  Single process
• What is the overall specialization of sensory neuron structure?

  • Specialized for rapid transmission
  • Efficiently transmits sensory information
• How does the structure of a neuron allow for efficient signal transmission?

  • The myelin sheath insulates the axon to improve signal propagation speed
  • The nodes of Ranvier along the axon allow for saltatory conduction, further increasing transmission speed
  • The branching dendrites allow the neuron to receive signals from multiple sources
• What are the key structural components of a neuron?

  • Cell body (soma)
  • Dendrites
  • Axon
  • Myelin sheath
  • Node of Ranvier
  • Axon terminal
• What types of stimuli do sensory neurons respond to?

  • Touch
  • Light
  • Sound
• What happens to the signal after it travels up the spinal cord?

  It synapses with the brain
• What is the main component of a sensory neuron that contains the nucleus?

  Cell body (soma)
• What is the function of the nodes of Ranvier in sensory neurons?

  Signals jump between sections at these gaps
• What is the purpose of the action potential in the sensory axon?

  The action potential in the sensory axon transmits the sensory information
• What are the steps in a sensory pathway?

  1. Sensory endings in skin detect stimulus
  2. Action potential forms in sensory neuron
  3. Signal travels up spinal cord and synapses with brain
  4. Continues through interneurons to thalamus
  5. Reaches cerebral cortex for conscious perception
• What is the function of the sensory pathway reaching the cerebral cortex?

  The sensory pathway reaches the cerebral cortex for conscious perception.
• What do electrical signals from sensory neurons carry to the brain?

  Sensory information
• What is the process of sensory information transmission?

  1. Sensory neurons detect stimuli
  2. Convert stimuli into electrical signals
  3. Carry signals to the brain and spinal cord
  4. Brain processes the sensory information
• What is the name of the cell structure labeled as "Axon"?

  Multipolar
• How does the brain interpret the electrical signals from sensory neurons?

  It understands them as music
• Where are pseudounipolar sensory neurons commonly located?

  Skin and muscles
• How do the structures and features of the different neuron types (Unipolar, Bipolar, Pseudounipolar, Multipolar) relate to their functions?

  • Unipolar: Efficient transmission of signals from sensory receptors
  • Bipolar: Transmission of signals between sensory receptors and CNS
  • Pseudounipolar: Efficient transmission of signals from sensory receptors to CNS
  • Multipolar: Integration and transmission of signals in the CNS
• How do sensory neurons function in relation to stimuli?

  They convert stimuli into electrical signals
• What do sensory neurons change stimuli into?

  Electrical signals
• What characterizes pseudounipolar sensory neurons?

  Modified bipolar with fused processes
• Where are the sensory endings located?

  The sensory endings are located in the skin
• What is the name of the central part of a neuron?

  cell body (soma)
• What is the name of the cell structure labeled as "Dendrite"?

  Multipolar