Neuroscience Analysis of Occupational Performance (OCTH 455)
and
Neuroscience (PTRS 850)
Hypothalamus & ANS practice question

This is a practice question for our Hypothalamus and ANS material. An example of one possible answer is available - but try to answer this question on your own before you peek!

You should try to answer the following question fully, then explain your answer to another student. There are a number of possible ways you may choose to answer the question. Read the question carefully, then decide on your answer. Determine which input pathway (choose one only) you'll use in your answer. Draw a picture to remind you of that input. Next, choose an output response (one only!), and draw a second picture. This will be your behavioral response. Finally, draw the pathways which connect the areas of the brain necessary to complete your answer (remember that this section of the course centers on the hypothalamus and ANS; it would be a good idea to include these structures in your answer). Label the pathways and brain regions which you include in the diagram. Do not include structures which play no part in your answer!

At this point you have answered the question as it applies to a typical individual. How might that individual's output response (behavior) change if the input pathway became only partly functional? What might cause such a situation to occur?

How would that individual's output response change if one of the brain regions contributing to the output pathway was only partly functional? What might cause such a situation to occur?


The Question:

Happy Valentine's Day! You are sitting in KUMC's cafeteria with a few friends, just preparing to eat your lunch. Not a moment too soon, since you overslept this morning and had to rush out of the house without breakfast. Your tummy began to rumble in anticipation before you have even sat down at the table and opened your lunch bag. Just after you take your first bite, there's a tap on your shoulder. Startled, you turn to see a delivery person holding a box. It's addressed to you and inside the box are a dozen red roses! You reach into the box, lift them to your nose and take a deep breath. In the process, however, you prick the index finger on your right hand. Tears spring to your eyes.
For OT students:
For PT students:

Comments? Send e-mail to Jeff Radel
Back to the Top | Last Updated:01/09/08