Pain Pathophysiology

Amanda, Ijabo, and Keith are studying for their biology exam. They are discussing a scenario where a person accidentally touches a hot stove and immediately pulls their hand away. They are trying to understand the role of 'nociceptors' in this scenario. Can you help them understand the function of nociceptors in the perception of pain?

• Is it to interpret pain signals?

• Or to send signals to the brain?

• Maybe to regulate neurotransmitters?

• Or to convert stimuli into electrical signals?

Answer explanation

Nociceptors are specialized sensory receptors that respond to damaging or potentially damaging stimuli by sending signals to the brain. This functioning allows us to perceive pain. Thus, the option 'To send signals to the brain' is the correct answer as it correctly describes the function of nociceptors in the perception of pain.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-8

During a basketball game, Avery accidentally stepped on a nail. What is the function of Avery's nociceptors in this situation?

• To dampen the sensation of pain

• To amplify the sensation of pain

• To transmit signals to Avery's brain about the injury

• To regulate Avery's body temperature

Answer explanation

Nociceptors are sensory neurons that respond to damaging or potentially damaging stimuli by sending signals to the brain. This process initiates the perception of pain. Hence, the correct answer to the question is 'To transmit signals to the brain'. The other options are incorrect as they don't correctly represent the function of nociceptors.

Angeline, Nikki, and Johnella are studying for their biology exam. Angeline asks Nikki a question: 'What is the relationship between nociceptors and pain perception?'

• Nociceptors are like the body's thermostat, regulating body temperature

• Nociceptors are like a volume knob, dampening the sensation of pain

• Nociceptors are like an amplifier, increasing the sensation of pain

• Nociceptors are like a messenger, transmitting signals to the brain

Answer explanation

Nociceptors are sensory neurons that respond to potentially damaging stimuli by sending signals to the brain. This plays a crucial role in pain perception. The correct statement amongst the options, 'Nociceptors transmit signals to the brain', accurately describes this function. The other options do not describe the primary function of nociceptors.

How do nociceptors detect harmful stimuli? For instance, if Jenna accidentally touches a hot stove, how does her body recognize this as harmful?

What are the three systems in our brain that are involved in pain?

During a biology class, Halena accidentally hit her elbow on the edge of the table. She felt an acute pain that lasted for a short time. What type of pain did Halena experience?

• Temporal pain

• Nociceptive pain

• Neuropathic pain

• Neurogenic pain

Answer explanation

Nociceptive pain is the type of pain described in the question. It is an acute pain that comes suddenly and lasts for a short duration. This type of pain is a result of specific pain receptors being stimulated, typically due to injury, inflammation or physical pressure.

Leslie, Connor, and Caitlin are studying for their upcoming biology exam. They are trying to understand the concept of 'discriminative system' in the context of pain perception. They come across a scenario where a person accidentally touches a hot stove and immediately feels pain. Can you help them understand what role the discriminative system plays in this scenario?

• Does it evaluate and interpret the pain caused by the hot stove?

• Does it regulate neurotransmitters in response to the heat?

• Does it control the emotional and motivational aspects of the pain experienced?

• Or does it locate and identify the source of the pain, in this case, the hot stove?

Answer explanation

The discriminative system in pain perception plays a crucial role in locating and identifying the source of pain. Its function is not to evaluate or interpret pain, nor to regulate neurotransmitters. Furthermore, it's not concerned with controlling the emotional and motivational aspects of pain. It primarily helps in discerning where the pain is coming from and what is causing it.

Emily was recently diagnosed with a condition that causes damage to her nerves, resulting in a specific type of pain. This pain is similar to conditions like neuralgia. What type of pain is Emily experiencing?

• Neuropathic pain

• Nociceptive pain

• Neurogenic pain

• Temporal pain

Answer explanation

The question asks about the type of pain caused by damage to nerves. Among the provided options, 'Neuropathic pain' is the correct choice. Neuropathic pain is specifically associated with nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system, which includes conditions like neuralgia, as stated in the question. Hence, 'Neuropathic pain' is the correct answer.

While studying for their biology exam, Francis and Halena came across the term 'gate control theory'. Francis asked, 'What is the gate control theory?'

• Halena replied, 'It's a theory that suggests specific nerve fibers are responsible for transmitting pain signals.'

• Halena replied, 'It's a theory that suggests there is a 'gate' in the spinal cord that can either allow or block pain signals.'

• Halena replied, 'It's a theory that explains how pain signals are processed in the brain.'

• Halena replied, 'It's a theory that proposes the brain can regulate the intensity of pain signals.'

Answer explanation

The Gate Control Theory explains that a 'gate' in the spinal cord can either allow or block pain signals. This theory suggests that this 'gate' can control the transit of pain signals from peripheral nerves to the brain. This is why the correct answer is 'A theory that suggests there is a 'gate' in the spinal cord that can either allow or block pain signals'.

1. What are the four phases of nociception?