Human Senses Overview

Front

What are taste buds?

Back

Special organs of taste found on the surface of the tongue, roof of the mouth, cheeks, and walls of the pharynx.

Front

What are taste cells?

Back

Gustatory cells that connect to the nervous system; each taste bud contains 50–150 taste cells.

Front

How do we taste?

Back

Taste bud has an opening called a taste pore. Taste hairs emerge from taste pores. Food molecules bind to receptor proteins in taste hairs. Taste cells release neurotransmitters, leading to polarization and the start of chemical digestion.

Front

What are the 5 primary taste sensations?

Back

Sour, Salty, Sweet, Bitter, Umami.

Front

What is the role of olfactory receptors?

Back

Detect odors and work with taste receptors to influence flavor perception.

Front

Where are olfactory organs located?

Back

In the nasal cavity, nasal conchae, and nasal septum.

Front

What is the olfactory pathway?

Back

Olfactory receptors are stimulated. Axons pass through cribriform plates of the ethmoid bone. Signals synapse in the olfactory bulb, sending information to the brain.

Front

How is smell linked to memory?

Back

Due to connections with the limbic system (amygdala and hippocampus).

Front

What are the three layers of the eye?

Back

Outer (Fibrous Tunic): Sclera & cornea. Middle (Vascular Tunic): Choroid, ciliary body, iris. Inner (Nervous Tunic): Retina.

Front

What is the function of the iris?

Back

Controls light entering the pupil.