Lesson 5 Flashcards
Mechanoreceptors
Sensory receptor that responds to mechanical stimuli like touch, pressure, vibration, or stretch.
Photoreceptors
Sensory cells (rods and cones) in the retina that respond to light and enable vision.
chemoreceptors
Sensory receptor that detects chemical changes, including smell, taste, and blood chemistry.
Lacrimal apparatus
Glands and ducts that produce and drain tears to lubricate and protect the eye
sclera
The white, tough outer layer of the eye that provides structure and protection
cornea
The transparent, curved front part of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina.
choroid
The vascular layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera that supplies blood to the retina.
ciliary body
A structure in the eye that controls the shape of the lens and produces aqueous humor.
iris
The colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil and regulates the amount of light entering the eye.
retina
The light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye where photoreceptors (rods and cones) convert light into electrical signals.
rods
Photoreceptors responsible for low-light vision and peripheral vision.
cones
Photoreceptors responsible for color vision and high-resolution vision in bright light.
signal transduction
The process by which photoreceptors convert light into electrical signals in the nervous system.
bipolar cells
Neurons in the retina that transmit signals from photoreceptors to ganglion cells.
optic disc
The area on the retina where the optic nerve exits; it lacks photoreceptors, creating the blind spot.
blind spot
A spot on the retina where no image detection occurs due to the absence of photoreceptors at the optic disc.
fovea centralis
A small depression in the retina with a high concentration of cones, responsible for sharp central vision.
lens
A transparent, flexible structure that focuses light onto the retina by changing shape.
Aqueous humour
A clear fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye that nourishes the cornea and lens.
vitreous humour
A gel-like substance that fills the large cavity of the eye, maintaining its shape and supporting the retina.
rhodopsin
A light-sensitive pigment found in rods, essential for low-light vision.
myopia
A condition where distant objects appear blurry because light focuses in front of the retina
hyperopia
A condition where close objects appear blurry because light focuses behind the retina.
cataracts
Clouding of the lens, leading to blurred vision and, if untreated, potential blindness.
vestibular apparatus
The sensory system in the inner ear that helps maintain balance and equilibrium.
ossicles
The three tiny bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear.
cochlea
A spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti, responsible for hearing.
hair cell
Sensory cells in the cochlea and vestibular apparatus that convert sound vibrations or head movements into nerve impulses.
semi circular canals
Three fluid-filled canals in the inner ear that detect rotational movements of the head, aiding in balance.
static equilibrium
The ability to sense the position of the head relative to gravity, detected by the maculae in the vestibule.
dynamic equilibrium
The ability to sense rotational movements of the head, detected by the crista ampullaris in the semi-circular canals.
maculae
Sensory structures in the vestibule that detect changes in head position and linear acceleration.
crista ampullaris
Sensory receptors in the semi-circular canals that detect rotational head movements.
taste buds
Sensory organs located on the tongue and other areas of the mouth, responsible for detecting taste (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami).
