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Overview of the Special Senses:
Overview of the Special Senses:
Senses depend on cells called sensory receptors!
Sensory Receptor: specialized nerve cell that responds to a stimulus in the internal or external environment by generating a nerve impulse. The nerve impulse then travels along the sensory (afferent) nerve to the CNS for processing & to form a response.
Types of Sensory Receptors:
Mechanoreceptors: respond to mechanical forces (pressure, roughness, vibration, & stretching). Mostly found in the skin & are needed for the sense of touch. Are also found in inner ear, where they’re needed for the senses of hearing & balance.
Thermoreceptors: respond to variations in temperature. Found mostly in the skin & detect temperatures that are above or below body temperature.
Nociceptors: respond to potentially damaging stimuli, which are generally perceived as pain. Found in internal organs, as well as on the surface of the body. Different nociceptors are activated depending on the particular stimulus. As some detect damaging heat or cold, others detect excessive pressure and still others detect painful chemicals (i.e.-very hot spices in food).
Photoreceptors: detect & respond to light. Most are found in the eyes & are needed for sense of vision.
Chemoreceptors: respond to certain chemicals. Found mostly in taste buds on the tongue, where they are needed for sense of taste. Also, found in nasal passages, where they are needed for sense of smell.
The human body has 2 basic types of senses!
Special senses- specialized sense organs that gather sensory information & change it into nerve impulses. (Vision, hearing, balance, taste, and smell)
General senses- all associated with the sense of touch and lack of special sense organs. Instead, sensory information about touch is gathered by the skin and other body tissues, all of which have important functions besides gathering sense information.
Fun Facts About Special Senses!
Fun Facts About Special Senses!
Men are more likely to be colorblind than women.
If someone eats a large meal, their hearing may not be as good for a short amount of time.
Middle back is the least sensitive part of touch for humans.
Your taste buds die off and regenerate every few days. As we age the cycle slows, dulling your ability to taste.
The body's most sensitive areas are the lips, back of the neck, the fingertips, and the soles of our feet.
Coloring Worksheets
Mr. Potato head is a great and easy way to learn where the senses are located !!
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