The Five Senses

Front

What happens when light enters the eye?

Back

Light enters through the cornea, passes through the lens, and hits the retina (back of the eye).

Front

What do rods and cones do in the eye?

Back

Rods and Cones detect light and color and send this info to the brain.

Front

How do sound waves travel through the ear?

Back

Sound waves enter and vibrate the eardrum, then 3 tiny bones, then the cochlea.

Front

What is the function of the cochlea?

Back

The cochlea is filled with fluid and hairs and converts vibrations into electrical messages that get sent to the brain.

Front

What are papillae on the tongue?

Back

The tongue is covered in bumps called papillae that contain taste buds.

Front

What can taste buds detect?

Back

Taste buds can detect sweet, sour, salty, and bitter in our dissolved food.

Front

How do we perceive smell?

Back

Odor molecules contact receptors in the nose and send a message to the brain.

Front

What do nerve endings in our skin detect?

Back

Nerve endings in our skin detect pressure, temperature, and pain.

Front

Why is the sense of touch important?

Back

Touch allows us to interact with the environment and protect us from danger.