Activity 8.2.

1 Testing the Senses

Introduction
Did you know that your tongue only detects 5 different tastes but your brain can
recognize 10,000 different smells? Did you know there are about 100 touch
receptors in each of your fingertips?

For hundreds of years, humans have been curious about the ways in which we
perceive the world around us, especially the senses: taste, touch, smell, sight, and
hearing.

The human body perceives or “senses” the environment by the interaction of

specialized nerve endings with some aspect or another of the environment. This
interaction is interpreted by the central nervous system in a way that is different for
each type of nerve ending.

In this activity you will test your senses of taste, smell, and touch as well as explore
how your nervous system collects information from the outside world.

Procedure
Part 1
1. Visit the Kid’s Health website at https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0hwOL91cjwM.
2. After the video, answer conclusion questions 1-5.
3. Visit the Kid’s Health website at http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/nose.html.
4. Read through the article and be sure to click “Continue” at the bottom of pages 1
and 2.
5. Answer conclusion questions 6 - 7.
6. Either individually or as a class, visit the website titled “Your Really Weird Body
Map” at http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/flash/hom.html.
7. Answer conclusion question 8.

Part 2
8. Obtain a copy of Activity 8.2.1 Testing the Senses - Student Response Sheet
from your teacher.
9. With your lab partner, visit each of the five stations and record all observations
on the Student Response Sheet. Answer the analysis questions that go with
each station.

© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

PLTW Gateway – Medical Detectives Activity 8.2.1 Testing the Senses – Page 1
Conclusion
1. What can’t occur if you don’t produce salvia?

2. Where are the taste buds contained on the tongue?

3. The average person has how many taste buds?

4. What are the five tastes?

5. What happens to your taste buds when you have a stuffy nose from a cold?

6. Label the basic parts of the nose.

© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

PLTW Gateway – Medical Detectives Activity 8.2.1 Testing the Senses – Page 2
7. Explain what is meant by the term olfactory fatigue.

8. Explain the drawing of the Homunculus. Why are areas such as the lips, hands,
and feet drawn larger than areas such as the arms and legs?

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