1. Tickling

Question 1

somatosensory cortex

Answer 1

noun
the main sensory receptive area for the sense of touch.

“The effect of a light touch that results in a tickling sensation is the result of the analysis of two regions of the brain. The somatosensory cortex is responsible for analyzing touch; for example, the pressure associated with it. The signal sent from the skin’s sensory receptors also passes through the anterior cingulated cortex, which governs pleasant feelings [source: Blakemore]. “

Question 2

cerebellum

Answer 2

The cerebellum (Latin for “little brain”) is a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. It may also be involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language, and in regulating fear and pleasure responses,[1] but its movement-related functions are the most solidly established.

“The cerebellum spoils the fun by predicting the sensory consequences of movements and sends signals to the rest of the brain, instructing it to ignore the resulting sensation.” The mechanism ensures that the brain is not too self-obsessed and pays proper attention to stimuli from potential predators, she added.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1354950/Proof-that-you-cant-fool-your-brain-with-a-tickle.html

Question 3

anterior cingulated cortex

Answer 3

It appears to play a role in a wide variety of autonomic functions, such as regulating blood pressure and heart rate.
It is also involved in rational cognitive functions, such as reward anticipation, decision-making, empathy, impulse control, and emotion.

“The effect of a light touch that results in a tickling sensation is the result of the analysis of two regions of the brain. The somatosensory cortex is responsible for analyzing touch; for example, the pressure associated with it. The signal sent from the skin’s sensory receptors also passes through the anterior cingulated cortex, which governs pleasant feelings [source: Blakemore]. “

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/laugh-tickling1.htm

Question 4

sensory attenuation

Answer 4

the way that we filter out or “cancel” unnecessary information from the world around us.

Question 5

Meissner’s corpuscles

Answer 5

a medium-sized nerve ending in the skin, particularly the fingertips and lips; also called a tactlie corpuscle that is responsible for sensitivity to light touch.

What’s more, the soles of the feet have a high concentration of Meissner’s corpuscles, highly sensitive nerve receptors located close to the skin’s surface [source: BBC]. These nerve endings make the feet extra ticklish.