Sensory Receptors Quiz

What type of receptor cell is responsible for transducing pain stimuli?

• Mechanoreceptor

• Nociceptor

• Osmoreceptor

• Photoreceptor

Answer explanation

Nociceptors are specialized receptor cells that detect and transduce pain stimuli. Unlike mechanoreceptors, osmoreceptors, and photoreceptors, which respond to different types of stimuli, nociceptors specifically respond to harmful or painful stimuli.

What type of receptor cell is involved in the sensation of sound and balance?

• Nociceptor

• Mechanoreceptor

• Chemoreceptor

• Photoreceptor

Answer explanation

Mechanoreceptors are specialized cells that respond to mechanical stimuli, such as sound waves and changes in position, making them essential for the senses of hearing and balance.

Which cranial nerves is part of the gustatory system?

• Olfactory

• Facial

• Trigeminal

• Trochlear

Answer explanation

The Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is responsible for taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, making it a key part of the gustatory system. The other options do not primarily serve this function.

Which submodality of taste is sensitive to the PH of saliva?

• Bitter

• Sour

• Sweet

• Umami

Answer explanation

The sour taste is sensitive to the pH of saliva, as it primarily detects hydrogen ions (H+). This makes sourness a direct indicator of acidity, unlike other tastes which are not influenced by pH levels.

Which of these sensory modalities does not pass through the ventral posterior thalamus?

• Nociception

• Gustatory

• Olfaction

• Proprioception

Answer explanation

Olfaction is unique among the sensory modalities as it does not pass through the ventral posterior thalamus. Instead, olfactory signals go directly to the olfactory bulb and then to the cortex, bypassing the thalamic relay.

Axons from which neuron in the retina make up the optic nerve?

• Retinal ganglion cells

• Photoreceptors

• Amacrine cells

• Bipolar cells

Answer explanation

The optic nerve is formed by the axons of retinal ganglion cells, which transmit visual information from the retina to the brain. Photoreceptors, amacrine cells, and bipolar cells do not contribute axons to the optic nerve.

Visual stimuli in the upper left visual field will be processed in what region of the primary visual cortex?

• Superior left

• Inferior right

• Superior right

• Inferior left

Answer explanation

Visual stimuli in the upper left visual field are processed in the inferior left region of the primary visual cortex, as the visual field is mapped contralaterally in the brain.

Which type of receptor is primarily responsible for detecting changes in temperature?

• Nociceptor

• Thermoreceptor

• Mechanoreceptor

• Photoreceptor

Answer explanation

Thermoreceptors are specialized receptors that detect changes in temperature. They play a crucial role in sensing heat and cold, making them the primary receptors for temperature detection, unlike nociceptors, mechanoreceptors, or photoreceptors.

What is the primary function of the olfactory bulb?

• Processing visual information

• Processing auditory information

• Processing olfactory information

• Processing tactile information

Answer explanation

The olfactory bulb is primarily responsible for processing olfactory information, which relates to the sense of smell. It does not process visual, auditory, or tactile information.

Which part of the brain is primarily involved in the integration of sensory information?

• Cerebellum

• Thalamus

• Hippocampus

• Medulla oblongata

Answer explanation

The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information, processing and integrating it before sending it to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex. This makes it the primary brain region for sensory integration.