Lab 9: Special Senses

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Special Senses Lab 9.

Gustation

The sense of taste, which is affected by olfaction.

Olfaction

The sense of smell, which is influenced by gustation.

Papillae

The small bumps on the tongue that house taste buds.

Taste Buds

Receptors on the tongue that detect different tastes.

Olfactory Neurons

Specialized neurons in the nose responsible for detecting odors.

Chemical Messages

Signals interpreted by the brain as specific odors.

Nasal Cavity

The space behind the nose that helps in smell and air filtration.

Volatile Molecules

Substances that can easily become gas and are detected by olfactory neurons.

Reflux Arc

The neural pathway through which sensory information is processed.

Fibrous Tunic

The outer protective layer of the eye, including the sclera and cornea.

Sclera

The white outer layer of the eye that provides protection and shape.

Cornea

The transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.

Vascular Tunic

The middle layer of the eye containing blood vessels, including the choroid.

Choroid

The layer of blood vessels and connective tissue behind the retina.

Iris

The colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil.

Nervous Tunic

The innermost layer of the eye where the retina is located.

Retina

The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye containing photoreceptors.

Rods

Photoreceptors in the retina responsible for vision in low light.

Cones

Photoreceptors in the retina responsible for color vision and visual acuity.

Optic Disc

The area in the retina where the optic nerve exits; known as the blind spot.

Organ of Corti

The structure in the cochlea that contains the sensory cells for hearing.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear responsible for hearing.

Semicircular Canals

Fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that maintain balance.

Vestibule

The part of the inner ear involved in static equilibrium.

Crista Ampullaris

Sensory structure in the semicircular canals that detects dynamic equilibrium.

Maculae

Sensory receptors located in the vestibule for static equilibrium.

External Auditory Canal

The tube running from the outer ear to the tympanic membrane.

Tympanic Membrane

The eardrum that vibrates in response to sound waves.

Malleus

The hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations.

Incus

The anvil-shaped bone in the middle ear that helps transmit sound.

Stapes

The stirrup-shaped bone that passes sound vibrations to the inner ear.

Static Equilibrium

The sense of balance when in a stationary position.

Dynamic Equilibrium

The sense of balance when in motion.

Hearing

The ability to perceive sound through wave vibrations.

Vision

The ability to see and interpret light signals.

Depth Perception

The ability to judge the distance and spatial relationship of objects.

Color Blindness

A deficiency in the ability to perceive color due to problems with photoreceptors.

Astigmatism

A defect in the eye or lens that causes blurred vision.

Visual Illusions

Perceptions that misrepresent physical stimuli.

Proprioception

The sense of the relative positioning of one's own parts of the body.

Taste Sensation

The perception conveyed by taste receptors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami.

Exercise 34

An experiment in the e-lab manual exploring the relationship between olfaction and gustation.

Ear Dissection

A procedure to study the anatomy and function of the ear.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear

The study of the structures and functions involved in hearing and balance.