[10] Special Senses

Question 1

Flashcards Questions

Answer 1

Flashcards Answers

Question 2

What are the five special senses?

Answer 2

• Vision
• Hearing
• Taste
• Smell
• Touch

Question 3

What part of the nervous system is responsible for vision?

Answer 3

The optic nerve

Question 4

What is the function of the retina in the eye?

Answer 4

Converts light into neural signals

Question 5

What is the role of the cochlea in the ear?

Answer 5

Converts sound waves into neural signals

Question 6

What types of cells are responsible for taste sensation?

Answer 6

Taste buds

Question 7

What nerve carries the sensation of smell to the brain?

Answer 7

Olfactory nerve

Question 8

What is the function of Meissner’s corpuscles in the skin?

Answer 8

Detects light touch

Question 9

Which sensory system provides information about body position and movement?

Answer 9

The vestibular system

Question 10

How does phototransduction work in the retina?

Answer 10

Light activates photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) that send signals to the brain

Question 11

Which part of the brain processes auditory information?

Answer 11

The auditory cortex

Question 12

What are the main taste sensations that the tongue can perceive?

Answer 12

• Sweet
• Sour
• Salty
• Bitter
• Umami

Question 13

What part of the brain processes olfactory information?

Answer 13

The olfactory bulb

Question 14

What are the two main types of photoreceptor cells in the retina?

Answer 14

• Rods
• Cones

Question 15

What is the function of the Eustachian tube in the ear?

Answer 15

Balances air pressure on both sides of the eardrum

Question 16

Which sensory system uses thermoreceptors?

Answer 16

The somatosensory system (touch)

Question 17

Which type of cells in the nose are responsible for detecting smell?

Answer 17

Olfactory receptor cells

Question 18

What is the role of the semicircular canals in the ear?

Answer 18

Detect rotational movements for balance

Question 19

What is the difference between rods and cones in the eye?

Answer 19

Rods detect light and dark, while cones detect color

Question 20

How does the brain distinguish between different tastes?

Answer 20

Different regions of the tongue are more sensitive to different tastes

Question 21

What is the function of the tympanic membrane in the ear?

Answer 21

Transfers sound vibrations from the air to the ossicles

Question 22

What are the names of the three hearing bones in the ear and their functions?

Answer 22

• Malleus (hammer) → Receives vibrations from the tympanic membrane and passes them to the incus
• Incus (anvil) → Transfers vibrations from the malleus to the stapes
• Stapes (stirrup) → Passes vibrations from the incus to the oval window of the cochlea

Question 23

What are the main parts of the eye?

Answer 23

• Cornea
• Iris
• Pupil
• Lens
• Retina

Question 24

What is the function of the cornea in the eye?

Answer 24

Bends light to help the eye focus

Question 25

What is the function of the iris in the eye?

Answer 25

Regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil

Question 26

What is the function of the lens in the eye?

Answer 26

Focuses light onto the retina

Question 27

What are the main parts of the ear?

Answer 27

- Outer ear (pinna, ear canal) - Middle ear (tympanic membrane, ossicles) - Inner ear (cochlea, semicircular canals)

Question 28

What is the function of the pinna in the ear?

Answer 28

Collects sound waves and funnels them into the ear canal

Question 29

What is the function of the tympanic membrane in the ear?

Answer 29

Vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits these vibrations to the ossicles

Question 30

What is the function of the ossicles in the ear?

Answer 30

Amplify the vibrations from the tympanic membrane and transmit them to the cochlea

Question 31

What is the function of the cochlea in the ear?

Answer 31

Translates vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain

Question 32

What is the function of the semicircular canals in the ear?

Answer 32

Assist with balance and spatial orientation

Question 33

How is the retina structured?

Answer 33

It contains photoreceptor cells (rods and cones), bipolar cells, and ganglion cells

Question 34

How does the ear canal contribute to hearing?

Answer 34

It directs sound waves from the outer ear to the tympanic membrane in the middle ear

Question 35

What role does the Eustachian tube play in ear structure?

Answer 35

It equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere

Question 36

What part of the eye contains rods and cones?

Answer 36

The retina

Question 37

What is the aqueous humor in the eye?

Answer 37

A clear liquid that provides nutrients to the cornea and lens and maintains eye shape

Question 38

What is the vitreous humor in the eye?

Answer 38

A gel-like substance that helps maintain eye shape and transmits light to the retina

Question 39

What is the function of the ciliary body in the eye?

Answer 39

It controls the shape of the lens, allowing the eye to focus

Question 40

What is the function of the choroid in the eye?

Answer 40

It provides oxygen and nutrients to the outer layers of the retina

Question 41

What are the three types of cones in the retina?

Answer 41

Cones that detect red, green, and blue light

Question 42

What is the function of the optic nerve in the eye?

Answer 42

Transmits visual information from the retina to the brain