UNIT 7 1 The Special Senses

2 The 5 senses are: smell, taste, vision, hearing and equilibrium Ophthalmology is science of the eye Otolaryngology is science of the ear Otorhinolaryngology is the science that studies the ears, nose, and throat.

Olfaction = Smell 3 Olfaction is the sense of smell. It is a chemical sense, because smell comes from the interaction of molecules with sensory neurons called olfactory receptors. The chemicals that cause smell are called odorants and can evoke strong emotional responses or memories We can recognize 10,000 different smells!

Gustation = Taste 4 Gustation is the sense of taste. It is also a chemical sense.  To be detected, molecules must be dissolved.  Taste stimuli classes include sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami (savory).  Gustation is closely linked to olfaction, without the sense of smell, you cannot taste.  We have 10,000 taste buds, which decline with age

Eyes Eyes have receptors in them that respond to light energy. The optic nerve connects the back of the eye to the brain. The brain interprets this information, which allows you to see. 5

Parts of the Eye The retina is at the back of the eye, it senses the difference between light and dark. It has rod cells (used to see black/white or in dim light) and cone cells (used to see color and in bright light) 6

Parts of the Eye Cornea: transparent front part of the eye, helps you focus Sclera: white of the eye, protects the eye Lens: helps you see objects far away Iris: colored part of the eye, controls the size of the pupil 7

Parts of the Eye Pupil: the black part in the middle, where light enters the eye Vitreous humor: clear gel that makes up the bulk of the eyeball Aqueous humor: clear fluid between the lens and the cornea in the front of the eye 8

Hearing 9 The ear changes sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound The ear has 3 main parts: external, middle, and internal ears

External (outer) ear 10 The auricle or pinna is the flap of elastic cartilage that makes up the outer ear. The eardrum is a thin partition between the ear canal and the middle ear.

Middle Ear 11 The auditory ossicles or ear bones are located here (malleus, incus, stapes)

Inner Ear 12 The cochlea is found here, it is a fluid filed, snail shaped organ lined with tiny hairs. It sends the vibrations of sound waves through the nerves connected to the brain.

Equilibrium 13 The ear is also important in our equilibrium: the hairs and the fluid in the semi-circular canals send signals to the brain. Equilibrium helps us balance and maintain upright posture.

Special Senses Disease and Disorder Chart 14 DiseaseCaus e Symptom s Susceptibl y TreatmentsPrognosis Hyposmia Taste Aversion Detached retina Color blindness Deafness Cataracts Glaucoma Meinere’s Disease Ottis Media Conjunctivitis Aging

Web-Quest and Special Senses Project Choose a sense. Then choose an art major. 2. Create a piece of art that you can share that integrates the science behind your sense with the art you chose. Examples from last year:  Smell: perfume manufacturing; smell + memories; examples of the 10,000 smells  Taste: food sampling; drawings of the tongue; the 5 different tastes  Vision: color-blind tests; color wheels; eyeball anatomy  Hearing: binaural beats; music for developing fetuses; music for studying; affects of different decibels  Equilibrium: balance testing, yoga poses for balance 3. Write a 4 paragraph essay explaining:  1. The anatomy of the sense you chose  2. The physiology of the sense you chose  3. How this sense contributes to homeostasis of the body  4. Explain your project and how it shows the science of your sense in an artistic way