Senses and Perception – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from chapters on hearing, smell, taste, pain, kinesthetic and perception.

Amplitude

The physical magnitude of a sound wave; related to how loud a sound seems.

Decibel

The unit of measurement for sound loudness (amplitude).

Loudness

The perceived volume of a sound; subjective interpretation of amplitude.

Pitch

The perceptual property corresponding to how high or low a sound is; linked to frequency.

Frequency

The rate at which a sound wave vibrates per second; measured in hertz.

Hertz

The unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.

Outer ear

The part of the ear that collects sound waves and channels them inward.

Eardrum (tympanic membrane)

A membrane that vibrates in response to sound; marks the boundary between outer and middle ear.

Middle ear

The ear region containing the ossicles that transmit vibrations to the inner ear.

Ossicles

The three tiny middle-ear bones (malleus/hammer, incus/anvil, stapes/stirrup) that amplify vibrations.

Inner ear

Part of the ear containing the cochlea, basilar membrane, and hair cells which transduce vibrations into neural signals.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled inner-ear organ containing hair cells for hearing.

Basilar membrane

A membrane in the cochlea whose vibrations stimulate hair cells; its place of activation relates to pitch.

Hair cells

Sensory receptors in the cochlea that convert mechanical vibrations into neural signals.

Timbre

The quality of a sound that distinguishes different sounds with the same pitch and loudness.

Place theory

Theory that different frequencies stimulate different places along the basilar membrane.

Frequency theory

Theory that hair cells along the basilar membrane vibrate at the same frequency as the sound.

Pheromones

Chemical signals released by organisms that influence others' behavior or physiology.

Olfactory nerve

The nerve that carries smell information from the nose to the brain.

Olfactory bulb

Brain structure that processes smell information after olfactory receptors send signals.

Olfactory receptor cells

Sensory neurons in the nose that detect odor molecules.

Olfactory

Relating to the sense of smell.

Ovulation

The release of an egg from the ovary; the period of highest fertility.

Testosterone

A male sex hormone that can influence sexual behavior; often associated with deeper voices.

Umami

One of the five basic tastes; savory/meaty flavor.

Taste buds

Structures on the tongue that contain receptor cells for taste.

Receptor cells (taste)

Cells in taste buds that detect specific tastes (salty, sweet, sour, bitter, umami).

Salty

One of the five basic tastes detected by taste buds.

Sweet

One of the five basic tastes detected by taste buds.

Sour

One of the five basic tastes detected by taste buds.

Bitter

One of the five basic tastes detected by taste buds.

Umami (taste)

Savory taste detected by taste buds.

Kinesthetic sense

The sense of body movement and position (proprioception and movement).

Proprioceptors

Sensory neurons in muscles and joints that provide kinesthetic information.

Vestibular sense

The sense of balance and spatial orientation.

Pacinian corpuscles

Sensory receptors in the skin that detect deep pressure and vibration.

Free nerve endings

Nerve endings that detect pain, temperature, and other sensations; basic pain receptors.

Gate control theory

Idea that pain signals can be modulated by the spinal cord and brain; the 'gate' can be opened or closed.

Phantom limb pain

Pain felt in a limb that has been amputated; a form of sensitization.

Sensitization

Increased responsiveness to pain or stimuli, often after injury or chronic exposure.

Chronic pain

Persistent pain that lasts over a long period and can involve sensitization.

Perception

The brain’s interpretation and organization of sensory information to form meaningful experience.