Author Question: Describe the biological actions by which certain stimuli are able to lower reactivity to pain. ... (Read 24 times)

erika

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 522
Describe the biological actions by which certain stimuli are able to lower reactivity to pain.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe the transduction process for gustatory signals.
 
  What will be an ideal response?



itsakadoozi

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
Answer to Question 1

Answer: Pain signals are transmitted to the spinal cord and from there to the thalamus and to various cortical regions (anterior cingulate, primary and secondary somatosensory cortex). Pain reactivity can be diminished by interrupting the ascending pain pathways, by reducing the activity of the anterior cingulate cortex (reduced aversiveness), or by activating a descending neural circuit from the PAG to the spinal cord.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Taste receptors code for five qualities (sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness, and umami). Each receptor type involves a different transduction process. Hydrogen ions generate a sour taste, which controls a potassium channel. Bitter and sweet tastes are coded for by receptors containing gustducin and that reduce cyclic AMP. Sweet receptors also are coded by gustducin receptors but increase cyclic AMP. The umami signal involves a specific glutamate receptor (mGluR4). The pleasant taste of fat seems linked to receptors that detect free fatty acids in foods.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

The heart is located in the center of the chest, with part of it tipped slightly so that it taps against the left side of the chest.

Did you know?

Fungal nail infections account for up to 30% of all skin infections. They affect 5% of the general population—mostly people over the age of 70.

Did you know?

Your heart beats over 36 million times a year.

Did you know?

Hippocrates noted that blood separates into four differently colored liquids when removed from the body and examined: a pure red liquid mixed with white liquid material with a yellow-colored froth at the top and a black substance that settles underneath; he named these the four humors (for blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile).

Did you know?

Most women experience menopause in their 50s. However, in 1994, an Italian woman gave birth to a baby boy when she was 61 years old.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library