Concepts to Focus on—Note that most (if not all) multiple choice
questions will be drawn from the following topics:
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Understand general sensory reception—what are the types of stimuli that can be
perceived, the types of receptors that respond to these stimuli, and what
nociceptors are and how hypersensitivity to pain occurs. Conversely, you should
have an understanding about adaptation—what it is and where it occurs
(peripheral vs. central)
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Understand the somatic sensory pathways (I won’t ask about the individual
tracts), what kinds of information are being conveyed along each pathway, and
know what a sensory homunculus is
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Understand the somatic motor pathways (I won’t ask about the individual tracts),
what kinds of information are being conveyed along each pathway, and the
processing and control areas (i.e. what does the cerebellum do? what do the
basal nuclei do?)
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Know what the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system are, and general
functions for each
Know what a preganglionic neuron and a ganglionic neuron are
Know the three locations in which ganglionic neurons occur
Know the neurotransmitters that are involved in both sympathetic and
parasympathetic activity
Understand (to the level we covered) how memories are generated and stored
Understand (to the level we covered) how sleep and wake cycles occur
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Know the components of olfaction: olfactory epithelium, olfactory receptors, and
the pathways of olfaction. Why does smell play a role in emotion and memory
formation/access?
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Know the different primary taste sensations
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Know what accommodation is
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Know the so-called “dark current”—how is it maintained, and how does the arrival
of a photon/light stimulus alter the current
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Know the similarities and differences between the nervous and endocrine
systems

Know the three chemically-based classes of hormones

Know the steps involved in cAMP activation/deactivation, and the Ca++ level
modulation that hormones produce. Understand the amplification that second
messenger systems produce
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Know the nine hormones produced by the pituitary gland, their targets, and their
effects