BIOL 1410 Lecture 20: Special Senses | Latest Version | 2024/2025 | 100% Pass

BIOL 1410 Lecture 20: Special Senses | Latest Version | 2024/2025 | 100% Pass What are the five special senses in the human body? The five special senses are vision, hearing, taste, smell, and equilibrium. How does the structure of the cornea contribute to its function in vision? The cornea is transparent and curved, allowing it to refract light effectively to help focus it onto the retina. What is the role of photoreceptors in the retina? Photoreceptors, including rods and cones, detect light and convert it into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for visual processing. What is the function of the auditory ossicles in the middle ear? The auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear, amplifying the sound. How does the cochlea contribute to hearing? 2 The cochlea converts sound vibrations into nerve impulses through hair cells in the organ of Corti, which are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve. What is the purpose of the Eustachian tube in the ear? The Eustachian tube equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere, ensuring the tympanic membrane vibrates properly. How do olfactory receptors function in the sense of smell? Olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity bind to odor molecules, generating nerve impulses that are transmitted to the brain, where the smells are interpreted. What role do taste buds play in the sense of taste? Taste buds contain gustatory cells that detect chemicals in food and beverages, sending signals to the brain to identify taste sensations like sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. How does the structure of the semicircular canals contribute to the sense of equilibrium? The semicircular canals detect rotational movements of the head. Fluid inside the canals moves when the head rotates, stimulating hair cells that send signals to the brain about balance. 3 What is the role of the vestibule in maintaining balance? The vestibule, which includes the utricle and saccule, detects linear movements and changes in head position, helping to maintain balance and spatial orientation. How does the lens adjust to focus on objects at different distances? The lens changes shape through a process called accommodation, becoming thicker to focus on near objects and thinner to focus on distant objects. What is the significance of the optic nerve in vision? The optic nerve transmits visual information from the retina to the brain, where it is processed to create images.