General Science 10/26

Sensory Receptor

Detects stimuli and sends signals to the nervous system.

Pupil

Opening that lets light into the eye.

Lens

Focuses light onto the retina.

Retina

Back layer of the eye that detects light.

Rods

Help you see in dim light; do not detect color.

Cones

Detect color and sharp details.

Cochlea

Inner ear organ that changes vibrations into nerve signals.

Semicircular Canal

Inner ear structure that helps with balance.

Taste Buds

Detect taste.

Drug

Substance that changes how the body functions.

Stimulant

Drug that speeds up nervous system activity.

Depressant

Drug that slows down nervous system activity.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth.

Drug Abuse

Harmful use of drugs or misuse of medication.

Addiction

Compulsive need for a substance despite harmful effects.

Pain Receptors

Detect pain; found throughout the body except the brain.

Thermoreceptors

Detect temperature; found in skin, body core, and hypothalamus.

Mechanoreceptors

Detect touch, pressure, stretching, sound, and motion; found in skin, muscles, and inner ears.

Chemoreceptors

Detect chemicals; found in the nose and taste buds.

Photoreceptors

Detect light; found in the eyes.

Cornea

Front covering of the eye that helps focus light.

Iris

Colored part of the eye that controls pupil size.

Pupil

Gets larger in dim light and smaller in bright light.

Retina

Detects light and creates nerve impulses.

Fovea

Area of the retina with the sharpest vision.

Blind Spot

Place where the optic nerve exits the eye; has no photoreceptors.

Optic Nerve

Carries visual signals to the brain.

Eardrum (Tympanum)

Vibrates when sound waves reach it.

Hammer, Anvil, Stirrup

Three tiny bones that carry sound vibrations.

Cochlea

Converts sound vibrations into nerve signals.

Cochlear Nerve

Carries hearing signals to the brain.

Semicircular Canals

Detect head movement and help maintain balance.

Smell Receptors

Detect chemicals in the nose.

Taste Buds

Detect chemicals responsible for taste.

Skin

Contains receptors for touch, temperature, and pain.

Four Tastes

Sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.