Chapter 38: Sense Organs

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to sensory organs and receptors.

Sensory Receptors

Specialized sensory cells that detect various stimuli.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect chemicals.

Taste Buds

Sensory organs primarily located on the tongue that detect taste.

Taste Pore

Opening through which taste cells interact with tastants.

Olfaction

The sense of smell.

Photoreceptors

Specialized cells sensitive to light.

Rods

Photoreceptors that detect various shades of gray.

Cones

Photoreceptors that detect color.

Pupil

Opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye.

Fovea Centralis

Area in the retina densely packed with cones for sharp vision.

Blind Spot

Area in the retina where no photoreceptors are present.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that sense physical contact or pressure.

Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane)

Membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that amplify sound vibrations.

Cochlea

Fluid-filled chamber in the inner ear containing hair cells that detect sound.

Stereocilia

Hair-like projections on hair cells that bend in response to sound waves.

Semicircular Canals

Structures in the inner ear that help maintain balance by sensing motion.

Ampulla

Base of each semicircular canal containing hair cells.

Cupula

Gelatinous material in the ampulla where stereocilia are embedded.

Otolithic Membrane

Gelatinous membrane containing otoliths responsible for detecting gravity.

Otoliths

Granules that rest on the otolithic membrane and assist in sensing movement.

Utricle and Saccule

Membranous sacs in the vestibule that help sense gravitational equilibrium.

Lateral Line System

A sensing system in fishes that detects water currents and pressure waves.

Echolocation

A method used by some mammals to determine object distance using sound.

Pit Vipers

Snakes that can detect heat to locate prey.

Electric Fields

Fields generated by muscle contractions that some animals can detect.

Magnetism

Ability of certain animals to detect Earth's magnetic fields for navigation.

Hearing

The ability to detect vibrations or sound waves.

Vision

The ability to detect light and form images.

Taste Receptors

Cells that respond to different taste modalities—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami.

Supporting Cells

Cells that provide structural and functional support to taste cells.

Retina

Layer at the back of the eye where photoreceptors are located.

Cochlear Nerve

Nerve that carries auditory information from the cochlea to the brain.

Basilar Membrane

Structure in the cochlea that vibrates in response to sound.

Organ of Corti

Structure within the cochlea that contains hair cells for hearing.

Tectorial Membrane

Membrane in the cochlea that interacts with stereocilia of hair cells.

Sensing Internal Environment

The detection of internal body conditions like temperature and blood pressure.

Sensing External Environment

The detection of external stimuli such as light, sound, and chemicals.