Senses and Perception

Amygdala

Processes emotional responses to odors and tastes.

Afferents

Neurons transmitting information to the CNS.

Mechanoreceptors

Touch receptors sensitive to mechanical stimuli.

Nociceptors

Neurons detecting painful stimuli.

Aδ fibers

Myelinated fibers for sharp, immediate pain.

C fibers

Unmyelinated fibers for dull, delayed pain.

Somatosensory Cortex

Brain area mapping touch sensations.

Homunculus

Representation of body in somatosensory cortex.

Pain Modulation

Mechanisms reducing perception of pain.

Congenital Insensitivity to Pain

Genetic condition preventing pain perception.

Descending Pathways

Signals from brain reducing pain perception.

Motor Functions

Stabilizes head, gaze, and posture.

Vestibular Labyrinth

Inner ear structure for balance sensation.

Semicircular Canals

Detect rotational head movements.

Otolith Organs

Sense linear acceleration and gravity orientation.

Vestibular Pathways

Transmit signals from vestibular system to brain.

Positional Alcohol Nystagmus

False sensation of rotation due to alcohol.

Phototransduction

Conversion of light into electrical signals.

Retina

Inner layer of the eye with light-sensitive neurons.

Fovea

Area of highest visual acuity in retina.

Primary Visual Cortex

Processes visual information in the occipital lobe.

Olfactory System

Detects airborne chemicals called odorants.

Olfactory Epithelium

Lining of nasal cavity containing odorant receptors.

Tastants

Chemicals that are soluble in saliva.

Taste Buds

Structures containing taste cells on the tongue.

Taste Papilla

Bumps on the tongue housing taste buds.

Cranial Nerves

Transmit taste signals from tongue to brain.

Orbitofrontal Cortex

Integrates taste and olfactory information.

Senses

Biological systems for detecting environmental stimuli.

Hearing

Perception of sound through auditory system.

Balance

Sense of body position and movement.

Touch

Perception of physical contact and texture.

Pain/Nociception

Detection of harmful stimuli causing discomfort.

Vision

Perception of light and color through eyes.

Smell/Olfaction

Detection of airborne chemical stimuli.

Taste/Gustation

Perception of flavors through taste buds.

Sensation

Reception of environmental information by receptors.

Perception

Brain's interpretation of sensory information.

Transduction

Conversion of one signal type into another.

Auditory System

Transforms sound waves into neural activity.

Sound

Pressure waves created by vibrating air molecules.

Cochlea

Inner ear structure for sound transduction.

Hair Cells

Sensory cells that initiate auditory signals.

Somatosensory System

Processes touch and pain information.

Pain Pathways

Neural routes for processing pain signals.

Vestibular System

Regulates balance and spatial orientation.

Sensory Functions

Perception of self-motion and head position.

Sensory Pathway

Sends vestibular information to the cortex.

Motor Pathways

Influence posture and eye muscle control.

Vertigo

Dizziness sensation without movement.

Visual System

Processes light into electrical signals.

Rods

Photoreceptors for dim light and peripheral vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors for color and fine detail.

Blind Spot

Area without photoreceptors where optic nerve exits.

Synesthesia

Involuntary perception in multiple sensory pathways.