Exam 2: The Beginning of the Perceptual Process

 The flow of ions that create the action potential are caused by the changes in the _____ of the nerve fiber.

 If we compare how the rods and cones converge onto other retinal neurons, we find that _____.

 Rushton demonstrated that the physiological mechanism behind dark adaptation is _____.

 The Purkinje shift _____.

 Acuity develops to almost 20/20 vision by the time the infant is _____.

 Acuity is better in the _____ than in the _____.

 The episode of "Mythbusters" cited in the textbook demonstrated that dark adaptation was the reason why _____.

 The upper limit of a neuron's firing rate is estimated to be _____ impulses per second.

 Vera has hyperopia, and tends to get headaches when she reads. This might be because _____.

 Which of the following is true about the difference between the rods and the cones

Discuss the major differences between the rods and the cones. (b) Describe two retinal disorders that differentially affect the rods and the cones.

 The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of electromagnetic energy that is produced by _____ and is radiated as _____.

 Rods and cones synapse with _____ cells, which then synapse with ____ cells.

 Describe the process of synaptic transmission. Include in this description the differences between excitatory and inhibitory transmitters.

 Which of the following statements best defines the "propagated response"

 Using words and/or diagrams, describe circuits with (a) no convergence and (b) convergence.

 Converging circuits with excitation and inhibition are associated most closely with which step of the perceptual process

What is the "blind spot" (b) Discuss two reasons why we are not usually aware of the blind spot.

 Our perception of the environment begins with _____.

 Synaptic vesicles contain chemicals called _____ that are released across the synapse to the next neuron.