Q17 - Lateral Inhibition Between Sensory Pathways
As it is shown in the figure, the sensory neurons can modify the function of adjacent sensory pathway. This inhibitory effect is conducted via intermediate neurons at their synapse with second-order neurons. The width of neurons is correlated with their activity.
Figure 1.
Using the information and data, determine which of the statements are true or which are false.
A. The firing rate of all second-order neurons is higher than to first-order neurons.
B. The highest relative changes between second and first-order neurons will happen in Path B.
C. The difference between the firing rate of second order neurons in A and B pathways will be higher than the difference between firing rate of the first order neuron in these pathways.
D. This mechanism may help to localize the sensory stimulus more accurately.
Question reproduced from IBO 2018, Theoretical Paper 2, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - attributed to the International Biology Olympiad. Open the full exam PDF · Community solutions (unofficial)