Sensory Systems: Vision, Hearing, Taste, and Smell

Accommodation

Lens changes shape to focus.

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Can see close objects clearly.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

Can see distant objects clearly.

Retina

Light-sensitive back layer of the eye.

Photoreceptors

Cells in retina (rods and cones) that detect light.

Rods

See black, white, gray; work in dim light.

Cones

Detect color and detail; work in bright light.

Ganglion Cells

Carry visual info from retina to brain.

Blind Spot

Area where optic nerve leaves the eye.

Trichromatic Theory

Color vision from red, green, blue cones.

Opponent-Process Theory

Colors work in opposing pairs.

Afterimages

Visual image that remains after stimulus is removed.

Dichromatism

Missing one cone type; red-green color blindness.

Monochromatism

Complete color blindness.

Amplitude (Sound)

Wave height; determines loudness.

Frequency

Number of sound waves per second; determines pitch.

Loudness

How loud or soft a sound is.

Pitch

Highness or lowness of sound.

Sound Localization

Determining the location of a sound.

Place Theory

Different pitches stimulate different places on cochlea.

Conduction Deafness

Damage to outer/middle ear.

Nerve Deafness (Sensorineural)

Damage to inner ear/auditory nerve.

Gustation

Sense of taste.

Taste Receptors

Detect different taste types.

Supertasters

Have more taste buds; sensitive to flavor.

Medium Taster

Average number of taste buds.

Nontaster

Fewer taste buds; less sensitive to flavor.

Olfaction

Sense of smell.

Semicircular Canals

Help detect head motion and maintain balance.