Asked by Clare Brezinski on Apr 24, 2024
Verified
Why does it take you longer to feel a pinch on your ankle than a pinch on your shoulder?
A) The touch receptors on the ankle are smaller than those on the shoulder.
B) Neurons in the shoulder have more dendrites than those in the ankle.
C) Action potentials from the ankle must travel farther to reach the brain.
D) The ratio of neurons to glia is greater in the shoulder than in the ankle.
Action Potentials
Brief electrical impulses that serve as the fundamental signaling processes of nerve cells, enabling communication throughout the nervous system.
Neurons
Cells in the nervous system that transmit information to other nerve cells, muscle, or gland cells.
Glia
Non-neuronal cells in the central nervous system that support, protect, and nourish neurons.
- Gain an understanding of the mechanisms behind action potentials and their dissemination within neurons.
Verified Answer
KV
Kourtney VoltzMay 02, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Action potentials from the ankle must travel farther to reach the brain. The time it takes for a sensation to be felt is influenced by the distance the electrical signals must travel along the nerves, and the longer the distance, the longer it takes for the sensation to be perceived. Sensory receptors in the ankle are not smaller and neurons in the shoulder do not have more dendrites. The ratio of neurons to glia is also unlikely to impact the time it takes to perceive a sensation.
Learning Objectives
- Gain an understanding of the mechanisms behind action potentials and their dissemination within neurons.