Sensory Systems in Mammals and Dogs (copy)

Five Basic Senses

Hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste.

Receptors

Detect stimuli from the external environment.

Cranial Nerves

Convey most sensory information to the brain.

Pinna

Part of the ear that focuses sound waves into the ear canal.

Cochlea

Inner ear structure containing hair cells that transmit sound information.

Photoreceptors

Cells in the retina that detect light; includes rods and cones.

Taste Buds

Sensory organs located in the oral cavity that detect flavors.

Olfactory Receptors

Located in the nasal cavity, they bind to odorants and send signals to the brain.

Vibrissae

Whiskers on dogs that provide sensory information about the environment.

Dichromatic Vision

Vision involving two colors; dogs perceive blue and yellow.

Tapetum Lucidum

Membrane that reflects light in the eye, enhancing low-light vision.

Nociceptive System

System that responds to pain or irritation stimuli.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Umami

A taste sensation that is associated with a savory, protein-rich flavor.

Functional MRI (fMRI)

Imaging technique used to measure brain activity associated with odorants.