Question

For the following description, identify FOUR(4) structures and pathways in the nervous system that are responsible for the experiences reported.

Beginning with the arrival of the receptor potential, identify the areas of the brain that would be involved in the neurological response to the stimulus. What parts of the brain does the signal activate, how does it get there, what happens there as a result of the signal, and what is the output?

Specify whether each pathway is somesthetic or autonomic; and whether the response is reflexive or intentional (voluntary), cognitive or subconscious.

The minute she walked into the room she sensed it. Even as she reached for the light switch, she felt the hair standing up on the back of her neck and a shudder running down her spine. She felt a thin layer of moisture cover her body. There was a strange nagging, deep down—some long-buried memory—and whatever it was was here now. As she bent down to pick up her mail, it clicked. Bay Rum! Good Lord, did men still splash themselves with heavy, sweet alcoholic scents? In this day and age?

Then the memories flooded over her. She imagined being pulled violently and catapulted into the air until she thought her head would explode; she was spun wildly in circles until the whole universe was a blur. She remembered being alternately pushed and shoved till she swung in large arcs that left her queasy and nauseated. It had been so long. Where were these memories coming from?

She snapped on the lights and look quickly around her tiny apartment. No one! She lifted her hands to take off her scarf, the letters still in her hand. Then it hit her — cigars! She held the letters at arm's length, postmark "Naples, Florida".

"Grandpa!" she cried, and flopped down on the couch with a giggle to read the old man's latest letter.

Answer 1

As she enters the room, the first area to be activated is the thalamus of the brain.It is present in the diencephalon of the fore brain region.This receives the sensory stimuli from optic nerve and the girl senses that something unusual is going to happen.Prior to this resting membrane potential of nerve fibres which is negative becomes positive by the opening of sodium gates causing it to turn into action potential .This positive potential arouses a response and the nerve impulse conduction is made further.In the meantime she feels a shudder because of adrenal hormonal secretion primarily epinephrine responsible for fight or flight reactions.As a result her heart beat is increased and she starts sweating.Now as she dwells in the long deep burried memory ,the limbic system containing hippocampus,amygdala,thalamus and hypothalamus of the brain gets activated.Because the memories are stressful right frontal lobe of the brain also gets activated.Finally she is relieved to see his grandpas letter and then endorphins are released which makes her happy.