Download Animal senses – mechanisms for detecting environmental stimulus

Animal senses – mechanisms for detecting environmental stimulus
Photoreceptors
(vision)
Thermoreceptors
(heat)
Cells that allow
the detection of
light.
The structure of
the eye varies
amongst animals.
Some examples:
Snail:
Cells that allow that
detection of heat.
Red end of spectrum
is infra-red = which is
a form of heat.
NO animal can ‘SEE’
infra-red naturally
with their eyes.
Mechanoreceptors (touch,
pressure, gravity, stretch,
movement) &
Proprioceptors (tension
muscles and joints)
Mechanoreceptors are
important for:
Humans:
Vertebrates:
Auditory receptors
(sound)
Electrical fields &
magnetic fields
Smell:
Sound waves are
vibrations that travel
through:
Also so-called the
sixth sense
Taste:
Humans detect sound
how:
Organs involved
Humans:
Snakes:
Insects &
Crustacea:
Chemoreceptors (smell &
taste)
Statocysts = gravity
Organ that mediates balance
in many invertebrates. It
consists of a fluid-filled sac
that contains statoliths
(minute calcareous particles)
that stimulate sensory cells
and help indicate position
when the animal moves.
Flies:
Insects:
Ultrasonic =
Reptiles:
Examples of ultrasonic:
(explain and draw on back of page)
Pheromones:
Fish:
Infrasound =
Mosquitoes:
Some sharks and
fish can detect the
electrical field of
fish or create an
electrical field
around themselves
which allows them
to detect any
disturbance in the
field. This is useful
as a way of
detecting
competition, mates,
and prey.
Some bacteria and
homing pigeons can
detect the magnetic
field lines of the
earth and this is
helps them find
their way. The
magnetic sensors
act as a compass.