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Example Questions
Example Question #201 : Mcat Biological Sciences
Proprioceptive stimuli differ from tactile stimuli in that __________.
tactile stimuli result in a general sensation, while proprioceptive signals the intensity of the sensation
tactile stimuli are transmitted through the spinal trigeminal pathway, while proprioceptive stimuli are transmitted through the main sensory trigeminal pathway
proprioceptive stimuli are internal and generated by body position and movement, while tactile stimuli are external
tactile neurons are able to differentiate a range of sensations, while proprioceptive neurons are specific to a particular quantity of force
proprioceptive stimuli are internal and generated by body position and movement, while tactile stimuli are external
The only entirely true statement is that proprioceptive stimuli are internal and generated by body position and movement, while tactile stimuli are external. Proprioception is the awareness of the body in space, which allows animals to have the sensation of the placement of their bodies without needing to see what they are doing or feel their way. Tactile perception is the body's interaction with an external stimulus, such as pain, temperature, or pressure.
While most tactile stimuli are transmitted through the spinal trigeminal pathway, certain sensations use the main sensory trigeminal pathway.
Example Question #201 : Mcat Biological Sciences
The basal cells of the gustatory system __________.
will eventually differentiate into taste receptor cells
contain synaptic structures that transport sensory information
serve as structural support for neuro-epithelial cells
are dependent on ion channels to produce action potentials
will eventually differentiate into taste receptor cells
Taste buds are bulb-shaped and open to the environment through a small pore. Chemical compounds bind to small cellular hairs of taste receptor cells to stimulate an action potential, relaying the taste to the brain. Basal cells are located at the bottom of the taste bud. As taste receptors die, basal cells will differentiate into new receptors to maintain the taste bud.
Example Question #202 : Mcat Biological Sciences
Receptors for salty and sour tastes are similar in that __________.
stimulation blocks the efflux of potassium ions
both involve G-protein coupling
both sodium and hydrogen cations are able to pass through sodium channels
an influx of chlorine and hydroxide anions causes hyperpolarization
both sodium and hydrogen cations are able to pass through sodium channels
Options must be considered carefully here, as all answer choices relate to the gustatory system. The only similarity is that salty (sodium ion) and sour (hydrogen ion) tastes both involve the passing of these ions through sodium channels. (Hydrogen can also pass through proton transport channels.) While sour tastes can block the efflux of potassium ions, this is not true for salts, making this an incorrect answer choice.
Example Question #203 : Mcat Biological Sciences
Which two molecules would be expected to interact via mechanisms within the olfactory system?
Ethane and benzene
Ethanol and ammonia
Methane and ethane
Ethanol and methane
Ethanol and methane
Hydrophilic (polar) molecules are able to diffuse across the olfactory mucosa, while hydrophobic (nonpolar) molecules are first bound to transport proteins. We are looking for the answer choice that contains one polar and one nonpolar molecule. Ethanol is polar and methane is nonpolar, making this the correct answer choice.
Methane, ethane, and benzene are all nonpolar. Ethanol and ammonia are both polar.
Example Question #204 : Mcat Biological Sciences
Which of the following is an accurate statement about the olfactory mucosa?
Basal cells line the columnar epithelium and secrete olfactory mucosa
The olfactory and columnar neurons are the only cells which receive information about the external environment
Columnar cells surround olfactory neurons and periodically differentiate to replace them
Density of cilia on the olfactory neurons determines odor sensitivity
Density of cilia on the olfactory neurons determines odor sensitivity
Olfactory neurons are the sole nerve cells that receive sensory information from the external environment. Basal cells will differentiate into neurons while columnar cells secrete mucosa. The true statement is that cilia density on the ends of the olfactory neurons determines odor sensitivity; the cilia contain many odor-specific receptor proteins.
Example Question #205 : Mcat Biological Sciences
Which of the following does not occur during transmission of a signal from a taste receptor to the brain?
Influx of chloride ions into the taste receptor
Influx of calcium ions into the taste receptor
Influx of sodium ions into the afferent nerve fiber
Release of neurotransmitter from the taste receptor
Influx of chloride ions into the taste receptor
After taste receptor cells contact solutes in the saliva, action potentials cause a calcium influx through ion channels, which leads to the release of the neurotransmitter that induces an action potential in the afferent nerve. This action potential is carried to the brain for integration and interpretation.
Chloride ions do not enter the receptor during this process.
Example Question #206 : Mcat Biological Sciences
Which of the following is found in the middle ear?
Incus
Perilymph
Pinna
Semicircular canals
Incus
The incus, along with the malleus and stapes, are three bones found in the middle ear, which act as a lever system to transmit sound waves to the oval window.
The pinna is simply the skin and cartilage component of the outer ear. The semicircular canals are found in the inner ear, and are responsible for adapting the head and body to positional changes, thus maintaining balance. The perilymph is the fluid found within the inner ear.
Example Question #102 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
The malleus, incus and stapes are components of the __________.
middle ear
inner ear
cochlear structure
outer ear
middle ear
The malleus, incus, and stapes are the three bones of the ear. Sound enters the external ear by using air as a medium. In the middle ear, vibrations from the air transition to vibrations through bone. The inner ear converts these bone vibrations to fluid vibrations in the cochlea, which converts the fluid vibrations to electrical stimuli for the nervous system.
Example Question #201 : Mcat Biological Sciences
Which of the following is not a component of the inner ear's maintenance of equilibrium?
Movement of the crista is conveyed to brain centers via the vestibular nerve
Head movement causes displacement of crista in the ampulla
Fluid movement within the crista signals positional change to the vestibular apparatus
In the vestibular apparatus, fluid moves within the semicircular canals
Fluid movement within the crista signals positional change to the vestibular apparatus
The vestibular apparatus is the name given for the entire inner ear structure that interprets position. It contains substructures such as the semicircular canals, the ampulla, and the crista. The crista are the specialized hair cells that respond to fluid movement; fluid does not move within the crista themselves.
All other listed answers are true.
Example Question #111 : Nervous System And Nervous Tissue
Which of the following structures is not responsible for transmitting information to the acoustic nerve?
The cochlea
The incus
The crista
All of these structures play a role in transmitting information to the acoustic nerve
All of these structures play a role in transmitting information to the acoustic nerve
The cochlear and vestibular nerves join to form the auditory nerve. The crista are specialized hair cells that help in postural equilibrium and send information via the vestibular nerve. The incus is one of the three auditory bones (the others include the malleus and the stapes), the motion of which is part of sound reception. This information is transmitted via the cochlear nerve. Finally, the cochlea is the fluid-filled structure of the inner ear that translates movement into vibrations (also involved in sound reception). All of the given structures take part in transmitting information to the acoustic nerve.
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