Mechanoreception and Chemoreception

Taste Buds

Sensory receptor in the bumps on the tongue

Olfactory Cells

Chemo receptor for the sense of smell

Lines the upper nasal cavity

Olfactory Bulb

Region of the forebrain where ends of sensory nerve fibres from the nose, terminate and transmit olfactory information to other areas of the brain

Sound waves

Small fluctuation in air pressure resulting from sound, which causes particles around the source to vibrate and move

Outer ear

One of the three separate segments of the year

Consists of the pinna and auditory canal

pinna

The outside flap of the ear

Pinna function

Made of skin and cartilage and shaped in a way that enhances sound vibrations and focusses them into the ear

Auditory canal

Tube that conducts sound waves from the outer ear to the tympanum of the middle ear

Auditory canals function

Amplify sound waves, effectively making sounds louder

Middle ear

One of the three separate segments of the ear

Begins at the tympanum and ends at two small openings in the wall of the inner ear, called the round window and the oval window

Tympanum

Round, elastic structure within the middle ear that vibrates in response to sound waves

Ossicles

The group of three small bones between the Tympanum and the oval window of the middle ear

Malleus, incus, and stapes

Oval window

Membrane covered opening in the wall of the inner ear

Oval window function

Receives vibrations from the stapes

Eustachian tube

Boney passage, extending from the middle ear to the throat

Eustachian tube

Play a role in equalizing air pressure on both sides of the ear drum

Inner ear

One of the three separate segments of the ear

Consists of three components: Semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea

Cochlea

One of the three components of the inner ear involved in hearing

Cochlea function

Mechanical energy of sound is converted into electrochemical impulses that are transmitted to the brain

Organ of Corti

Organ of hearing found within the cochlea of the inner ear

Organ of Corti Function

Contains hair cells that detect vibrations in the inner ear and transmit this information to auditory nerves

Basilar membrane

One of two parallel membranes that comprise the organ of Corti in the inner ear

Lies along the base of the organ of Corti

Attached to it are sensory, mechanoreceptors, known as hair cell

Hair cell

Sensory mechanoreceptor attached to the basilar membrane in the organ of Corti within the inner ear

Tectorial membrane

One of two parallel membranes that comprises the organ of Corti in the inner ear

Tectorial membrane Function

During the transmission of sound waves, the basilar membrane vibrates, causing the sensory hairs to flex against the tectorial membrane

Semicircular canal

One of the three components of the in inner ear

Consists of three fluid filled loops, arranged in three different planes

Contains Mechanoreceptors that detect head and body rotation

Rotational equilibrium

Balance required while rotating the head and body

Gravitational equilibrium

Balance required while moving the head forward and back

Utricle + saccule

Sack like a cavity in the vestibule of the inner ear

Contains sensory receptors for gravitational equilibrium

otoliths

Calcium carbonate granule associated with sensory receptors for detecting movement of the head

In vertebrates, located in the utricle and saccule in the vestibule of the inner ear

Proprioceptors

Type of mechanoreceptor found in muscles, tendons, and joints

Proprioceptors Function

Senses the bodies position and movements to send information about body position to the brain