Download Unit 7

The Special Senses
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UNIT 7
The Special Senses
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 The 5 senses are: smell, taste, vision, hearing
and equilibrium
 Ophthalmology is science of the eye
 Otolaryngology is science of the ear
 Otorhinolaryngology is the science that studies
the ears, nose, and throat.
Olfaction = Smell
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 Olfaction is the sense of smell.
 It is a chemical sense, because smell comes from the
interaction of molecules with sensory neurons called
olfactory receptors.
 The chemicals that cause smell are called odorants
and can evoke strong emotional responses or
memories
 We can recognize 10,000 different smells!
Gustation = Taste
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 Gustation is the sense of taste.
 It is also a chemical sense.
 To be detected, molecules must be dissolved.
 Taste stimuli classes include sour, sweet, bitter,
salty, and umami (savory).
 Gustation is closely linked to olfaction, without
the sense of smell, you cannot taste.
 We have 10,000 taste buds, which decline with
age
Eyes
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 Eyes have receptors
in them that
respond to light
energy.
 The optic nerve
connects the back of
the eye to the brain.
 The brain interprets
this information,
which allows you to
see.
Parts of the Eye
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 The retina is at the back of the eye, it senses the
difference between light and dark.
 It has rod cells (used to see black/white or in dim
light) and cone cells (used to see color and in bright
light)
Parts of the Eye
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 Cornea: transparent front part of the eye, helps you
focus
 Sclera: white of the eye, protects the eye
 Lens: helps you see objects far away
 Iris: colored part of the eye, controls the size of the
pupil
Parts of the Eye
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 Pupil: the black part in the middle, where light
enters the eye
 Vitreous humor: clear gel that makes up the bulk of
the eyeball
 Aqueous humor: clear fluid between the lens and the
cornea in the front of the eye
Hearing
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 The ear changes sound vibrations into electrical
signals that the brain interprets as sound
 The ear has 3 main parts: external, middle, and
internal ears
External (outer) ear
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 The auricle or pinna is the flap of elastic cartilage
that makes up the outer ear.
 The eardrum is a thin partition between the ear canal
and the middle ear.
Middle Ear
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 The auditory ossicles or ear bones are located here
(malleus, incus, stapes)
Inner Ear
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 The cochlea is found here, it is a fluid filed, snail
shaped organ lined with tiny hairs.
 It sends the vibrations of sound waves through the
nerves connected to the brain.
Equilibrium
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 The ear is also important in our equilibrium: the
hairs and the fluid in the semi-circular canals send
signals to the brain.
 Equilibrium helps us balance and maintain upright
posture.
Special Senses Disease and Disorder Chart
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Disease
Hyposmia
Taste Aversion
Detached retina
Color blindness
Deafness
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Meinere’s
Disease
Ottis Media
Conjunctivitis
Aging
Caus
e
Symptom
s
Susceptibl
y
Treatments
Prognosis
Web-Quest and Special Senses Project
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 1. Choose a sense. Then choose an art major.
 2. Create a piece of art that you can share that integrates the science
behind your sense with the art you chose.
 Examples from last year:
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Smell: perfume manufacturing; smell + memories; examples of the 10,000 smells
Taste: food sampling; drawings of the tongue; the 5 different tastes
Vision: color-blind tests; color wheels; eyeball anatomy
Hearing: binaural beats; music for developing fetuses; music for studying; affects
of different decibels
Equilibrium: balance testing, yoga poses for balance
 3. Write a 4 paragraph essay explaining:
 1. The anatomy of the sense you chose
 2. The physiology of the sense you chose
 3. How this sense contributes to homeostasis of the body
 4. Explain your project and how it shows the science of your sense in an artistic
way