NEUROBIOLOGY Molecules, Cells and SystemsGary G. Matthews
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | HINTS
Part IV
Research the work of Haldan K. Hartline and describe his contributions to the concept of lateral inhibition and its role in sensory processing.
Find images that illustrate the three-dimensional structure of the opsin protein.
Identify the cellular layers that contain the cell bodies of the different types of neurons found in the retina.
Find information about the mechanical response of the basilar membrane, including illustrations of the responses to different vibration frequencies.
Hints for Assignment 8
An Overview of Sensory Systems
Assignment 1 (Chapter 13)
A fundamental aspect of sensory function is lateral inhibition, which was first described in studies of the compound eye of the horseshoe crab, genus Limulus.
Assignment 2 (Chapter 14)
The following sensory structures are associated with skin somatosensory function:
Find histological images that illustrate the anatomy of these structures.
Assignment 3 (Chapter 14)
Use anatomical resources such as brain atlases, to locate the following structures in the brain:
Assignment 4 (Chapter 15)
Rhodopsin is the photopigment of rod photoreceptors. Locate information about the molecular structure of rhodopsin.
Assignment 5 (Chapter 15)
Search for information about the anatomy of the retina.
Assignment 6 (Chapter 16)
Locate the following structures in the brain:
Assignment 7 (Chapter 16)
Find a histological section that shows the layers of the primary visual cortex. Point out the histological feature that gives rise to the alternative name "striate cortex" for the primary visual cortex.
Assignment 8 (Chapter 17)
Part of the mechanism of frequency discrimination in the auditory system resides in the mechanical properties of the basilar membrane, which vibrates preferentially at different positions in response to tones of different frequencies.
Be sure to view the animation on this site (this link will open in a new window).
Assignment 9 (Chapter 17)
Locate the following structures using a brain atlas:
Assignment 10 (Chapter 18)
Investigate current information about taste receptor molecules that are coupled to G-proteins.
Assignment 11 (Chapter 18)
Use anatomical resources to locate the following structures in the brain:
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