Chapter 12
1. Individuals blind since birth will have different cerebral developmental patterns than
sighted individuals. The visual cortex may develop specially to interpret the sensory
input from reading Braille. In a sighted individual the visual cortex will be adapted to
vision, not to interpreting touch sensations. (Outcomes 2.2, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4)
2. The bullet would probably be causing localized, rather than widespread, stimulation
of pain receptors, due to acute (A-delta) fibers being stimulated. Burning of the skin
would stimulate more free nerve endings there and in subcutaneous tissues, resulting
in stimulation of both acute and chronic pain fibers. (Outcomes 11.6, 12.2) Vitamin
A is essential for synthesis of retinal, a component of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is the
light sensitive protein in the retina. Consumption of dietary vitamin A will provide
substrate for the synthesis of retinal. (Outcomes 12.2, 12.4)
3. In order to use this association to prevent or treat these diseases, one must gather
information on diseases in which loss of smell precedes other symptoms. The loss of
smell may serve as an indicator of Alzheimer or Parkinson disease. Both Alzheimer
disease and Parkinson disease result from nervous system degeneration. Much
information is still needed about both diseases, and there is no cure available at this
time. (Outcomes 12.2, 12.4)
4. Nerve impulses transmitting the sensation of pain from the heart follow common
nerve pathways to the spinal cord and then to the brain as those originating from the
skin of the left arm, shoulder, and the base of the neck. (Outcomes 12.2, 12.3, 15.1)
5. Many types of cochlear damage can also affect the vestibular apparatus. Since the
vestibular apparatus is involved in maintaining equilibrium, damage to this apparatus
can lead to motion sickness. However, cochlear damage does not always damage the
vestibular apparatus. In this case, motion sickness will not occur. (Outcomes 12.2,
12.4) The human brain is incredibly complex. It is able to assimilate information from
the general and specialized senses to create very intricate sensory perceptions.
(Outcomes 11.5, 12.1, 12.2))
6. Symptoms would include vertigo (dizziness), nausea, vomiting, headache,
disequilibrium, tinnitus, and deafness. (Outcomes 12.2, 12.4, 14.1 16.1)