Touch, Taste, Smell, Balance

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/senses/touch/

TouchTouch receptors are on the skinSkin is the largest & heaviest organ

(20 sq. ft. & 6 lbs.)Organ: several types of tissues

functioning together, so yes it’s an organ

All skin sensation if a combination of:Pain, warmth, cold, and pressure

Why Can’t I Tickle Myself?Brain is more sensitive to unexpected

stimulationProduces less sensory cortex

activation when you do it to yourself

Taste Bumps on your tongue are called papillae; CAN SEE

Tucked inside are tiny nerve endings (taste buds) CAN’T SEE Each taste bud is sensitive to one flavor Five different tastes:

Salty, sweet, sour, bitter & umami (meaty flavor)

Spicy is not a flavor, it triggers pain receptors in our

mouth

Taste buds are replaced weekly

3 ways to permanently kill taste buds

Receptor sends info to thalamus

In order to taste, we must be able to smell!

Sensory Interaction When one sense influences another sense!

Smell 5 million cells in each nasal cavity Olfactory bulb gathers messages but DOES NOT

SEND IT TO THE THALAMUS!!!! Instead of thalamus

Nerve fibers from olfactory bulb connect to amygdala and then the hippocampus

That’s why odors evoke memories and feelings!

• Sensory adaptation

• Who is more sensitive? Men or women?

Kinesthetic Sense Sensing the position &

movement of individual body parts

muscles and joints

Balance Semicircular canals. Fluid movement=dizzy

feeling

Vestibular Sense

What purpose does pain serve? Body’s way of telling you

something is wrong.

CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR IMMEDIATELY

Pain travels up your spine You will not feel pain until it is

processed by the brain (reflex)

Some people naturally have more endorphins than others

External stimulus

Internal stimulus

Sensation of pain depends on:

Physiology Experiences Attention

Why do we rub around the area?Presence of others

Since pain is in the brain, diverting the brain’s attention brings relief