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Learning outcomes for this module as of Fall 2019:
Please note: Those headings which have associated teaching tips are underlined, clickable links. However, while this identifies which topics have associated teaching tips, the actual list of teaching tips you click through to includes all teaching tips for this module, not only the ones for one particular topic in this module.
Topic from HAPS Guidelines (in bold font)
Learning Outcomes (indented, regular font)
1. Sensory receptors
1. Define sensory receptor.
2. Define transduction, perception, sensation, and adaptation.
3. Distinguish between tonic and phasic receptors.
4. Compare and contrast the three types of sensory receptors, based on their stimulus origin (i.e., exteroceptors, interoceptors [visceroceptors], proprioceptors).
5. Compare and contrast the types of sensory receptors based on the type of stimulus (i.e., thermoreceptor, photoreceptor, chemoreceptor, baroreceptor, nociceptor [pain receptor], mechanoreceptor).
6. Compare and contrast a general sense receptor and a special sense (complex) receptor.
2. Tactile receptors
1. Compare and contrast the location, structure, and function of the different types of tactile receptors (e.g., tactile [Merkel] corpuscle, lamellated [Pacinian] corpuscle).
3. Gross and microscopic anatomy of the eye
1. Identify the tunics of the eye and their major components (e.g., cornea, sclera, iris, ciliary body), and describe the structure and function of each.
2. Identify and describe the anterior and posterior cavities of the eye and their associated humors.
3. Describe the lens and its role in vision.
4. Identify and describe the actions of the extrinsic eye muscles.
5. Identify and describe the accessory eye structures (e.g., conjunctiva and lacrimal apparatus).
1. Trace the path of light as is passes through the eye to the retina, and describe which structures are responsible for refracting the light rays.
2. Trace the signal pathway from the retina through the optic nerve, optic chiasm, optic tract, and to the various parts of the brain.
3. Explain how the optical system of the eye creates an image on the retina.
4. Describe phototransduction (i.e., how light activates photoreceptors) and explain the process of light and dark adaptation.
5. Compare and contrast the functions and locations of rods and cones.
6. Relate changes in the anatomy of the eye to changes in vision.
5. Olfaction
1. Identify and describe the composition and location of the olfactory epithelium.
2. Classify olfactory receptor cells based on the type of stimulus (i.e., modality).
3. Explain the process by which odorants activate olfactory receptors.
4. Trace the path of olfaction from the olfactory receptors, to the initiation of an action potential in the olfactory nerves, through the olfactory bulb, the olfactory tract, and to the various parts of the brain.
6. Gustation
1. Identify and describe the location and structure of taste buds.
2. Classify gustatory receptor cells based on the type of stimulus (i.e., modality).
3. Explain the process by which tastants activate gustatory receptors.
4. Trace the path of gustation from gustatory receptors through specific cranial nerves to various parts of the brain.
5. Describe the primary taste sensations.
7. Gross and microscopic anatomy of the ear
1. Identify the macroscopic structures of the outer (external), middle, and inner (internal) ear and their major components (e.g., auditory ossicles, auditory [pharyngotympanic] tube), and describe the structure and function of each.
2. Identify and describe the microscopic structures within the inner (internal) ear (e.g., maculae, cristae ampullares, spiral organ [of Corti]).
8. Auditory pathways
1. Classify the receptor cells for hearing based on the type of stimulus (i.e., modality).
2. Trace the path of sound from the external ear to the inner ear, including where sound is amplified.
3. Explain the process by which an action potential is generated at the spiral organ (of Corti).
4. Trace the signal path from the spiral organ (of Corti) to the cochlear branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and to the various parts of the brain.
5. Explain how the structures of the ear enable differentiation of pitch, intensity (loudness), and localization of sounds.
9. Equilibrium
1. Classify the receptor cells for equilibrium based on the type of stimulus (i.e., modality).
2. Compare and contrast static and dynamic equilibrium.
3. Describe the structure of a macula and its function in static equilibrium.
4. Describe the structure of a crista ampullaris and its function in dynamic equilibrium.
5. Trace the signal path from the maculae and cristae ampullares to the vestibular branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and to the various parts of the brain.
10. Application of homeostatic mechanisms
1. Explain how the sense organs relate to other body organs and systems to maintain homeostasis.
11. Predictions related to disruption of homeostasis
1. Given a factor or situation (e.g., macular degeneration), predict the changes that could occur in the affected sense and the consequences of those changes (i.e., given a cause, state a possible effect).
2. *Given a disruption in the structure or function of one of the senses, (e.g., vertigo), predict the possible factors or situations that might have caused that disruption (i.e., given an effect, predict the possible causes).
Note: An asterisk (*) preceding a learning outcome designates it as an optional, advanced learning outcome. The HAPS A&P Comprehensive Exam does not address these optional learning outcomes.