Question

scientists continue to investigate the role of both the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system in phantom pain. scientists do not know exactly what causes phantom pain or whether the cause is the same for every person. different scientists have different hypotheses, or possible explanations, about the cause of phantom pain. scientists have tested these hypotheses and have found different results, or observations, from different studies.
classify each piece of information in the table below as either a hypothesis or a result from a study.

1. the somatosensory cortex sometimes changes after an amputation.
2. phantom pain is caused by changes to the somatosensory cortex.
3. treatments that reverse the changes in the somatosensory cortex sometimes stop phantom pain.
4. phantom pain is caused by atypical signals from severed nerves.
5. anesthetics can relieve phantom pain in some patients.

Explanation:

• A hypothesis is a proposed, untested explanation for a phenomenon. A result is an observed finding from a completed study.

1. "The somatosensory cortex sometimes changes after an amputation." is an observed finding from research, so it is a result.
2. "Phantom pain is caused by changes to the somatosensory cortex." is a proposed explanation for phantom pain, so it is a hypothesis.
3. "Treatments that reverse the changes in the somatosensory cortex sometimes stop phantom pain." is an observed outcome from testing treatments, so it is a result.
4. "Phantom pain is caused by atypical signals from severed nerves." is a proposed explanation for phantom pain, so it is a hypothesis.
5. "Anesthetics can relieve phantom pain in some patients." is an observed finding from testing anesthetics, so it is a result.

Answer:

Statement	Classification
Phantom pain is caused by changes to the somatosensory cortex.	Hypothesis
Treatments that reverse the changes in the somatosensory cortex sometimes stop phantom pain.	Result
Phantom pain is caused by atypical signals from severed nerves.	Hypothesis
Anesthetics can relieve phantom pain in some patients.	Result