1. Nociceptors are the receptors which respond to noxious stimuli, initiating the sensation of pain. To what other kinds of stimuli do they respond?
2. What kinds of nerve fibres connect the two main types of nociceptors to the CNS?
3. Think about connecting the sensory cells in the dorsal root ganglia with the brain. What are the three main ascending pathways in the spinal cord and where are the synapses along the way?
4. In physiological terms, how can you explain referred pain?
5. Is there any truth in the homely advice to "rub it to stop it hurting".
6. Neurons do not grow haphazardly, they are guided. What three criteria are met by a substance which guides neurons by adhesion?
7. What are guide-posts in neuronal growth?
8. What's the difference between chemotropic and chemotrophic guidance?
9. What happens to a neuron if it fails to make the right connection?
10. What's meant by plasticity in he nervous system and what is its importance in the mature animal?