According to gate control theory, this structure’s dorsal horn screens out slow-moving painful stimuli when faster non-painful stimuli are also present. For 10 points each:
[10e] Name this tube of nervous tissue that links to the brain in the central nervous system.
ANSWER: spinal cord [prompt on spine]
[10m] Gate theory proposes that the noxious stimuli are screened out by inhibitory signals passed through these neurons, which link sensory neurons to motor neurons in reflex arcs in the CNS.
ANSWER: interneurons [or relay neurons; or intermediate neurons; or connector neurons; or local interneurons or relay interneurons]
[10h] Gate theory was invigorated by the discovery of peripheral pain receptors like TRPV1, which are induced in the lab using this chemical. This natural product from a plant is used in topical creams to treat peripheral neuropathy.
ANSWER: capsaicin [or 8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide]
<Sudheer Potru, Science - Biology> ~20728~ <Editor: Adam Silverman>