Sensory Systems and Perception

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the sensory systems and how we perceive and process stimuli.

Sensation

The ability to perceive stimuli; how your body detects changes.

Perception

Conscious awareness of stimuli; what the brain understands.

General senses

Senses found all over the body including touch, pressure, pain, temperature, vibration, itch, and proprioception.

Special senses

Senses located in special organs; includes smell, taste, sight, hearing, and balance.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical changes such as touch, pressure, and stretch.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to chemicals; responsible for the sense of smell and taste.

Photoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to light, enabling vision.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to temperature changes.

Nociceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to pain or damage.

Referred pain

Pain felt in a different location than where it actually starts; can occur due to nerves from different areas connecting to the same spinal cord neurons.

Olfaction

The sense of smell, involving the detection of airborne molecules by olfactory neurons.

Taste buds

Oval structures found on papillae of the tongue containing taste cells that detect flavors.

Basic tastes

The five primary tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Accommodation

The process by which the lens changes shape to focus light on the retina.

Rods

Photoreceptors in the retina that are sensitive to light and allow for black and white vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors in the retina that require bright light for color vision and detail.

Cochlea

The part of the inner ear involved in hearing; contains hair cells that detect sound vibrations.

Vestibule

Part of the inner ear that aids in balance and spatial orientation.

Semicircular canals

Structures in the inner ear that detect head movement and rotation.

Action potentials

Electrical signals triggered by receptors in response to stimuli.

Adaptation

The process where sensory receptors become less sensitive to prolonged stimuli.

Endolymph

The fluid contained in the inner ear structures that helps with balance.