All MCAT Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Sensory Organs
Which of the following helps humans see in the dark?
Retina
Optic nerve
Rods
Lens
Cones
Rods
Rods and cones are the primary photoreceptors in our eyes. The rods are responsible for night vision, allowing us to differentiate different grays and blacks, whereas the cones are responsible for sensing color. Rods are concentrated in the periphery of the retina, making them essential for peripheral vision as well.
The retina contains both rods and cones and is responsible for converting electromagnetic stimulation to electrical impulses. These impulses are fired through the optic nerve to the occipital lobe for processing. The lens helps to focus light on the retina.
Example Question #4 : Sensory Organs
Which of the following is responsible for color vision?
Lens
Cones
Optic nerve
Retina
Rods
Cones
Rods and cones are the primary photoreceptors in our eyes. The rods are responsible for night vision, allowing us to differentiate different grays and blacks, whereas the cones are responsible for sensing color. There are three main pigments in cones, each perceiving one type of color: red, green, or blue. Deficiency in one type of cone can result in color blindness.
The retina contains both rods and cones and is responsible for converting electromagnetic stimulation to electrical impulses. These impulses are fired through the optic nerve to the occipital lobe for processing. The lens helps to focus light on the retina.
Example Question #5 : Sensory Organs
Which cell of the retina is utilized most in night vision?
Ganglion cell
Cone cell
Rod cell
Bipolar cell
Rod cell
The two major photoreceptors of the body are cone cells and rod cells. Cone cells are most highly concentrated in the fovea and are best for color vision and visual acuity. In contrast, rod cells are found in higher concentrations away from the fovea (at the periphery of the retina) and used for seeing low levels of light and peripheral vision. Rod cells are therefore the photoreceptors used for night vision.
Ganglion cells and bipolar cells are also cells of the retina. They are used in the transmission of the electrical signals from the photoreceptors to the optic nerve and brain.
Example Question #6 : Sensory Organs
The amount of light that reaches the retina is controlled by the __________, while the focus is determined by stimulation of the __________.
lens . . . iris
ciliary muscles . . . iris
iris . . . ciliary muscles
lens . . . ciliary muscles
iris . . . ciliary muscles
The pigmented part of the eye, called the iris, regulates the amount of light entering the eye. The iris is actually a band of circular muscle capable of regulating the size of the pupil. By dilating or constricting, this ring controls the amount of light that can enter the eye.
The ciliary muscles are responsible for altering the lens shape. When these muscles contract, the lens flattens and the focal length is reduced, allowing focus on objects closer to the eye. While the lens plays an important role in focusing light, it cannot be stimulated directly and relies on action of the ciliary muscles to change its shape.
Example Question #91 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
Which of the following refers to the optic chiasm?
The anterior region of the fetal eye
The crossing point of the right and left optic tracts
The point of connection between the optic nerve and the cerebrum
The blind spot created by the optic nerve leaving the eye
The crossing point of the right and left optic nerves
The crossing point of the right and left optic nerves
The optic nerves cross over in a location known as the optic chiasm, located posterior to the eyes in the brain. The optic tract refers to the portion of the optic nerve that carries signals prior to the optic chiasm, and thus is not involved in the cross. The result of the optic chiasm is that information from the right eye is transmitted to the left visual cortex, while information from the left eye is transmitted to the right visual cortex.
The blind spot created by the optic nerve exiting the eye is known as the optic disc.
Example Question #92 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
Color blindness could be a result of the dysfunction of which type of cell?
Rods
Vitreous humor cells
Cones
Ciliary body cells
Cones
Cones are responsible for the perception of color. Three different types of cones exist, each type containing a different pigment specifically tuned to a wavelength or color of light.
Rods are predominantly responsible for the transmission of images in low-intensity light, however do nothing to perceive color. The ciliary body is a muscle involved in the dilation of the pupils, and the vitreous humor is the aqueous matrix that occupies the space between the lens and the retina within the eye.
Example Question #93 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
Which of the following somatic sensory neurons is responsible for the perception of pain?
Photoreceptors
Nociceptors
Propioreceptors
Mechanoreceptors
Nociceptors
Mechanoreceptors, propioreceptors, photoreceptors, and nociceptors are all classified as somatic sensory receptors, and are responsible for conveying information about the external environment to the brain.
Mechanoreceptors give the perception of touch and pressure. Propioreceptors are responsible for detecting the orientation of the body, for example, knowing where your feet are without looking at them. Photoreceptors are located in the eyes and detect light. Nociceptors are able to detect and transmit the sensations of pain and extreme temperatures.
Example Question #94 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
Which type of sensors allow us to know how our limbs are oriented, even with our eyes closed?
Barioceptors
Thermoreceptors
Photoreceptors
Proprioceptors
Somatic sensors
Proprioceptors
Proprioceptors relay information about the relative position of the body in space. These receptors are embedded in the skin and musculoskeletal system, and are triggered by movement. The prefix "proprio-" means self, making proprioreceptors "receptors of the self."
Barioreceptors detect pressure changes in the blood and are primarily located in the aorta. Photoreceptors include rods and cones, and are responsible for receiving electromagnetic input in the eyes. Thermoreceptors are primarily located in the skin and detect changes in temperature. Somatic sensors are a general category of receptors that carry afferent signals to the brain.
Example Question #174 : Biology
Somatosensory neurons are most sensitive to which type(s) of stimulus?
Temperature change and nociception
Mechanical force, temperature change, and tissue damage
Nociception
Tissue damage
Mechanical force, temperature change, and tissue damage
Somatosensory neurons are most sensitive to mechanical force, temperature change, and tissue damage. Nociception is the processing of pain signals, which could result from any of these stimuli.
Example Question #101 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
The touch receptor organs of the somatosensory system include __________.
the skin, joint tissues, and muscles
somatosensory neurons
the skin only
joint tissues and muscles
the skin only
While somatosensory neurons are found within specialized touch receptors, the touch receptor organ for the tactile system is the skin. These sensors will detect stimuli for pressure, temperature change, and pain. Though these sensations can be detected in some internal regions of the body as well, the sensation of touch must be triggered by an external stimulus. As such, the receptors must have contact with the external environment (via the skin).
Sensors for proprioception can be found within joint tissues, muscles and tendons. These sensors detect spatial orientation and motion, stretch and compression, and internal pain. Stimuli for proprioception must be triggered by the body's internal environment.
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