Science

Grade 4 • Unit 4: Major Organs of the Body

LESSON 4.1
The Five Senses
Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Learning Competency 3

Learning Objectives 3

Warm-Up 4

Learn about It 5
Eyes 5
Parts of the Eyes 6
Ears 8
Outer Ear 8
Middle Ear 8
Inner Ear 9
Nose 10
Parts of the Nose 10
Tongue 11
Skin 11
Disorders and Diseases Affecting the Sense Organs 12
Common Diseases and Disorders of the Eyes 13
Eye Stye 13
Conjunctivitis 13
Cataract 14
Common Diseases and Disorders of the Ears 15
Otitis Media 15
Tinnitus 16
Common Diseases and Disorders of the Nose and Tongue 17
Colds 17
Nosebleed 17
Sores and Tongue Blisters 18
Common Skin Injuries 18
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Scrapes, Scratches, or Abrasions 18

Cuts or Lacerations 19
Bruises 19

Key Points 20

Check Your Understanding 21

Photo Credits 22

Bibliography 22

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Lesson 4.1
The Five Senses

Your five sense organs let you understand the world around you.

Introduction
Have you ever wondered why the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin are called sense
organs? Sense organs are specialized parts of the body that help a person perceive his or
her surroundings. Each sense organ has different parts that enable a person to detect what
is happening around him or her. It sends signals to the brain, which allows the body to react
to a particular situation properly. How does each sense organ work? What are some
diseases and disorders that affect the function of each sense organ?

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Learning Competency
At the end of this lesson, the given DepEd learning competency should be met
by the students.
Describe the main function of the major organs (S4LT-IIa-b-1).

Learning Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Identify the main parts of each of the five sense organs.
● Explain the functions of the five sense organs.
● Enumerate common diseases related to sense organs.

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Warm-Up

Using Calamansi to Explore the Use of Sense Organs

Materials
● ½ slice of calamansi for each pair
● bin for proper disposal of used calamansi

Procedure
1. Look for a partner for this activity.
2. You and your partner will be given a calamansi slice.
3. Complete the following sentences to describe the calamansi given to you. You and
your partner need to decide how you will use the calamansi to complete the
descriptions.
a. The calamansi looks ________________________________________.
We know because __________________________________________.
b. The calamansi smells _______________________________________.
We know because __________________________________________.
c. The calamansi tastes _______________________________________.
We know because __________________________________________.
d. The calamansi feels ________________________________________.
We know because __________________________________________.
4. Dispose the used calamansi properly after steps 1 and 2. Wash and dry your hands,
too.
5. Prepare to share your observations in class.

Guide Questions
1. What organs did you use to describe the calamansi?
2. Is it possible to describe the calamansi without your sense organs?
3. What do you think is the main task of sense organs?

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Learn about It

Essential Question
How do sense organs help the other organs of the human body?

Eyes
The eyes are the sense organs of sight. Each person has a pair of eyes that allows them to
see the different things that happen around them. Different parts of the eyes play important
tasks for a person to perceive his or her surroundings. Light has a significant role in
allowing the eyes to see.

Fig. 1. Parts of the eye

Parts of the Eyes

The eyes are contained in hollow openings in the skull called sockets. These sockets are
surrounded by muscles and tissues that protect the eyes and give them the flexibility to

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move. Eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows also protect the eyes from dust and other small
objects that might get into them.

The outermost portion of the eye is the cornea. It is responsible for controlling and focusing
the light that enters the eye. The pupil is the black portion at the center of the eye that
regulates the amount of light that gets into it. When there is too much bright light, the pupil
constricts (decreases in size) to lessen the eyes’ exposure to light. If it is dark, the pupil
dilates (expands or increases in size) so the eyes can see better.

Fig. 2. Pupil’s size in bright and dim light

The white portion of the eye is called the sclera and its functions to strengthen the eye.
Underneath is the vitreous humor (or vitreous) that is transparent and gel-like in
consistency. It maintains the circular shape of the eyeball. The iris is the colored part of the
eye. It has muscles that help the pupils to adjust its size by contracting or expanding. The
lens is behind the pupil and it bends the light rays that enter the eye. The light that passes
through the lens forms a clear image in the inner lining at the back of the eye called the
retina. The image formed on the retina is sent to the brain by the optic nerve. Once the
brain receives the message from the optic nerve, it interprets the image that the eyes
perceive.

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Fig. 3. Light from an object enters the eye, and the image formed in the retina is inverted.
The image formed in the retina is sent to the brain by the optic nerve. The brain then
interprets the image in the right way up.

Did You Know?

The presence of different
pigments in the iris causes varying
eye colors. The color of your iris
depends not only on the traits you
got from your parents, but on
other factors, too. Most people
and animals have eyes of the
same color. However, there is a
condition called heterochromia
iridum wherein a person or an
animal has eyes with different
colors. This condition does not affect the function of the eyes, but its rarity
makes it interesting for people to study and figure out why it occurs.

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Ears
Like the eyes, a person usually has a pair of ears as the sense organs of hearing. The ear is
divided into three sections: the outer, middle, and inner ear. Each section has different
parts and functions that contribute to the ability of a person to hear different kinds of
sounds.

Fig. 4. Parts of the ear

Outer Ear
The most visible portion of the ear is the outer ear. It has an ear flap or pinna that collects
the sound waves from the environment.

Middle Ear
The middle ear is the portion in between the outer and inner ears. It includes the eardrum,
Eustachian tube, and three tiny auditory bones.

The sound waves collected by the pinna are transmitted to the middle part by the ear

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canal. The sound waves will then hit a thin membrane called the eardrum, which will cause
it to vibrate. The tube that balances the pressure of the air inside the ear is the Eustachian
tube. This function is essential to avoid damaging the eardrum. The vibrations from the
eardrum will be transmitted to the inner ear by tiny bones, namely the hammer, anvil, and
stirrup.

Inner Ear
The innermost portion is the inner ear that includes the cochlea and the auditory nerve.
The sound waves that go to the inner ear will reach the cochlea, a snail-like structure that
converts sound to electrical impulses. The auditory nerve then transmits the electrical
impulse to the brain for it to be interpreted as a distinct sound.

Fig. 5. How we perceive sounds: (a) sound waves enter the outer ear and travel to the
eardrum and cause it to vibrate; (b) vibration will be sent to the tiny bones in the middle ear;
(c) vibration in the middle ear will reach the cochlea; (d) tiny hair cells in the cochlea will
transform vibrations into signals or electric impulses; and (e) the auditory nerve will send
electrical impulses to the brain for interpretation.

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Nose
Aside from being the passageway of air when breathing, the nose is also the sense organ of
smell. It allows a person to determine the odor of a certain object or place.

Fig. 6. Parts of the nose

Parts of the Nose

The nostrils are the openings of the nose where air enters and leaves the body. It has tiny
hairs inside that trap the dust, dirt, and insects that might enter the nose. Once the air
enters the nose, it goes to the nasal cavity that is lined with the mucous membrane. The
mucous membrane is a thin layer of tissue that warms and moistens the air that enters the
nose. Just above the nasal cavity is the olfactory bulb, a structure that contains receptors
that are sensitive to various odors. When air enters the nose and reaches the olfactory bulb,
it sends signals to the brain and interprets the nature of the odor detected.

Tongue
The tongue is a flexible muscle inside the mouth and it is the sense organ of taste. It allows

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a person to tell the flavor of a particular food or beverage when eating and drinking. The
tiny bumps on the surface of the tongue are called taste buds (also papillae). Taste buds
contain receptors that are sensitive to different tastes and signal the brain to interpret the
taste it has encountered.

Fig. 7. Papillae of the tongue

Skin
The skin is the largest external organ that protects the body by covering the underlying
flesh and organs. Aside from protection, it allows a person to feel different sensations when
a certain object is touched. It is the reason why the skin is known to be the sense organ of
touch. It is divided into three layers, namely the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Each
layer has different parts that enable the skin to sense its surroundings. The epidermis is the
outermost layer that contains the receptors that are sensitive to touch. It also contains
melanocytes that give skin its distinct color. The dermis contains the vessels that hold
blood, while the deepest layer is the hypodermis.

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Fig. 8. Layers of the human skin

Disorders and Diseases Affecting the Sense Organs

Have you experienced having a runny nose before? Have you experienced your skin itching
because of rashes? Did your eyes become itchy and shed tears more often? Have you had
problems hearing sounds due to a cold? These are just some situations in which you can say
that your sense organs are not in good condition. What are the common diseases or
injuries affecting the sense organs?

Essential Question
How are the functions of the sense organs affected by specific diseases
and disorders?

When organs are exposed to harmful microorganisms (such as bacteria and viruses) or
chemical irritants (such as makeup products), they are very likely to get infected or irritated,
respectively. This infection could lead to a disease, which is a condition that prevents the
organ from functioning well. There are also some instances in which organs are subjected to
accidents that can cause injuries. These damages to the organs may cause temporary or
permanent disability.

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Common Diseases and Disorders of the Eyes

Eye Stye
A stye is a red bump similar to a
pimple that forms on the outside
edge of the eyelid. This happens
when dead skin, dirt, or oil build up
on the small pores of the oil glands of
your eyelashes. When a gland is
blocked, bacteria can grow inside and
cause a stye to develop. Common
symptoms of a stye include the
following:
● pain and swelling
● increased tear production
● a crust that forms around the
eyelid
● soreness and itchiness

Usual treatments for stye include warm compress of the eye and the application of
antibacterial solutions specific to the eyes. Antibacterial solutions help prevent further
growth of the bacteria causing the infection.

Conjunctivitis
Have you seen someone with a “pink
eye”? This condition is known as
conjunctivitis. It is the swelling and
redness of the conjunctiva, a thin
layer of tissue over the sclera and the
inside of the eyelid. This disease may
be caused by bacteria, viruses, or
harmful chemicals (irritants) from

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shampoo or soap.

Some symptoms of conjunctivitis are:

● redness or “pinkish” color of the white part of the eye
● itchiness of eyelids
● blurry vision
● teary eyes
● white or green fluid discharge from the affected eye

To treat conjunctivitis, visit a doctor to first determine its cause. If bacteria caused the pink
eye, apply antibiotics (medicines that fight bacteria) into the infected eye in the form of eye
drops. There is no medicine given to the pink eye that is caused by a virus. However,
washing your hands and refraining from touching your eyes can prevent the worsening of
this condition. If irritants cause the pink eye, wash the affected eye with running water. If
the redness continues, visit a doctor for further examination.

Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. People with cataracts see through their
cloudy lenses like a fogged-up window. It can cause difficulties in reading or even driving at
night. Cataracts develop slowly and do not exhibit early eyesight disturbance. In most cases,
cataracts develop due to aging or injury that damages the tissues of the lens of the eyes. For
some, it could be caused by inherited genetic disorders or it may arise after prior eye
surgery or from medical conditions like diabetes.

Signs and symptoms of cataracts include:

● clouded, blurred, or dim vision
● sensitivity to light and glare
● need for brighter light for
reading and other activities
● frequent changes in contact
lens or eyeglass prescriptions

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● yellowing or fading of colors

● double vision in a single eye

For the treatment of cataracts, early intervention may include stronger lighting and use of
eyeglasses. But if the severity of impaired vision worsens, it can interfere with usual
activities. Cataract surgery might be needed. This procedure is generally a safe and effective
one.

Fig. 12. Normal eye vision (left) and vision of a patient with an eye cataract (right)

Common Diseases and Disorders of the Ears

Otitis Media
Ears may get infected too. A common ear disease for children is otitis media. This infection
is very painful and causes swelling of a portion of the middle ear. The Eustachian tube is
the tube in the middle of the ear that runs to the back of the throat. This tube can
accumulate fluids that can promote bacterial growth resulting in infection. Also, the
Eustachian tube can become swollen due to the following reasons:
● allergies
● cold or flu
● cigarette smoking

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Fig. 13. The middle ear is usually affected by infection caused by bacteria.

Some symptoms of otitis media are:

● earache ● vomiting
● fever ● fluid discharge from the affected ear

The most common treatment for otitis media is by taking antibiotics in the form of ear
drops. Pain relievers are also given to a person with otitis media to lessen the earaches.

Tinnitus
Tinnitus is described as the unusual ringing in the ears. The person affected by this
disorder can hear sounds like roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing. It varies by hearing either
soft or loud sounds and even hearing either high-pitched or low-pitched sounds. The most
common type of tinnitus is usually caused by exposure to very loud noise. Health conditions
in the ears can also cause tinnitus. This type is usually related to problems in the auditory
nerves that transmit signals to the brain for interpretation.

Tinnitus symptoms include the following types of phantom noises in your ears:
● buzzing ● ringing ● hissi
● clicking ● roaring

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Some preventive measures that you can do to help prevent tinnitus are the following:
● Use hearing protection whenever exposed to loud noise that can damage the nerves
and other structures in the ears.
● Lower the volume of electronic devices. Long-term exposure to amplified music can
damage the middle ear.

Common Diseases and Disorders of the Nose and Tongue

Colds
A cold is an infection caused by a virus that affects the nose and throat. Common symptoms
of a cold include the following:
● stuffy or runny nose ● cough
● sneezing ● sore throat
● fever

Since a virus causes the cold, there is no medication to cure this sickness. The best thing
that a person with a cold can do is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food. If the
cold comes with a fever, paracetamol may be taken to reduce any discomfort due to fever.

Nosebleed
Nosebleeds are common among children and young adults. The nose contains many blood
vessels near the surface of the skin. These blood vessels are very sensitive and fragile that,
once broken, may cause the release of blood resulting in nosebleeds. Causes of nosebleeds
include the following:
● a foreign object stuck in the nose ● repeated sneezing
● chemical irritants ● picking the nose
● allergic reaction ● cold air
● injury to the nose ● upper respiratory infection

Common treatments on addressing nosebleeds include cold compress over the bridge of
the nose, use of a nasal spray decongestant, and proper rest to allow the broken blood
vessel to clot and stop bleeding.

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Sores and Tongue Blisters

The tongue is one of the strongest
muscles in the body. However, if not
taken care of properly, it may be
infected and may acquire some
diseases. The most common disease of
the tongue is the formation of sores or
tongue blisters. These are often
caused by a fungal infection, an
infection caused by fungi. A sore
tongue is usually inflamed and has red
patches. A person with a sore tongue
usually experiences an impaired sense
of taste.

An antifungal medication (medicines that fight fungi) is given to the person with a sore
tongue. Mouthwash can also help lessen the fungal growth on the tongue.

Common Skin Injuries

Since the skin is the largest external organ in the body, it is also the most exposed part.
Some skin diseases are caused by exposure to harmful microorganisms, chemicals, and
even too much radiation from the sun.

Scrapes, Scratches, or Abrasions

These are wounds that affect only the surface of the skin. These types of wounds do not go
through the skin. Knees, elbows, and palms are parts of the body prone to having scrapes,
scratches, or abrasions. When you have scrapes, scratches, or abrasions, the first thing to
do is to wash the affected part with soap and clean water. Apply antiseptic on the affected
part to prevent further infection. Do not put alcohol on it as it may cause a burning
sensation that may harm even the unaffected parts of the skin.

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Cuts or Lacerations
These are wounds that go through the skin. Sharp objects often cause these. When the cut
on the skin is shallow, wash it with soap and clean water, then apply an antiseptic to it.
Cover it with gauze or an adhesive bandage to prevent it from being exposed to dirt.
However,when the cut is too deep, and there is much bleeding, go to the doctor and have it
checked. It might need to undergo suture stitches to properly close the open wound.

Fig. 15. Common skin injuries: a laceration (left), a scratch (center), and a bruise (right)

Bruises
Whenever you hit a blunt object, you will notice that the skin affected becomes bluish-black
after some time. This is because of the bleeding of damaged blood vessels underneath the
skin. This can swell and be really painful, especially if it hits the object hard. To lessen the
pain, apply a cold compress or an ice pack on the affected area.

Did You Know?

Sore eyes have many causes, but in most cases, it results from a viral
infection. It can also be from bacteria or allergen. There have been
epidemics of this condition in the Philippines, the most recent big one
being in September 2015. It is self-limiting and lasts for 7 to 10 days, but
with some variability depending on the type of virus.

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Key Points

● Sense organs are specialized body parts that help a person perceive his or her
surroundings.
● The five sense organs are the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. Each sense organ
has different parts that work together to fulfill its function.
○ The eyes are the sense organs of sight.
○ The ears are the sense organs of hearing.
○ The nose is the sense organ of smell.
○ The tongue is the sense organ of taste.
○ The skin is the sense organ of touch.
● All sense organs have parts that allow them to send messages to and receive
messages from the brain.
● There are various diseases and disorders that affect each of the sense organs. When
the sense organs are impaired, their functions towards the body’s major organs are
affected as well.
○ Conjunctivitis, stye, and cataract are some of the conditions that affect the
eyes.
○ Otitis media and tinnitus are some of the conditions that affect the ears.
○ Colds and sores or tongue blisters are some of the conditions that affect the
nose and tongue, respectively.
○ Common skin injuries are scratches, lacerations, and bruises.

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Check Your Understanding

A. Identify the structure being described in each of the following statements.
1. It is the colored part of the eye.
2. It regulates the amount of light that enters the eyes.
3. It is a part of the eye where the image seen is formed.
4. It is a thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it.
5. It is also known as the ear flap that collects the sound waves from the
environment.
6. It is a snail-like structure that converts sound waves to electric impulses.
7. It sends signals to the brain to determine the smell of the air that enters the
nose.
8. These are the openings of the nose where air enters and leaves.
9. It is the largest external organ of the human body.
10. These are tiny bumps on the surface of the tongue that are sensitive to tastes.

B. Identify the sense organ needed or used in the following situations.

1. Lia wants to know if a teaspoon of sugar is enough to make her tea sweet.
2. The mother enjoys listening to her kid’s laughter.
3. The teacher noticed that the students were quiet when she came in.
4. Jamie found out that the pointed end of the needle can hurt his finger.
5. The baby sleeps well on soft and comfortable blankets.
6. Danny loves the scent of the new cologne his aunt gave him.
7. Sam thinks the banana is already ripe because of its yellow color.
8. Mom walked toward the door because someone was knocking.
9. Karen reads the steps in the recipe before baking.
10. When the kettle whistles, it means the water is boiling already.

C. Write the word true if the given statement is correct and false if it is otherwise.
1. Sense organs are prone to infection caused by bacteria and viruses.
2. Eye disorders often affect vision and sense of smell.

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3. Impairment in the function of the tongue can cause loss of smell.

4. Bruises are bluish-black in color because of the bleeding of damaged blood
vessels underneath the skin.
5. The tongue is a sensitive muscle that can be prone to blisters when eating hot
food.

Photo Credits

Fig 10. An eye with conjunctivitis by Daemonanyndel is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

Fig 11. Cataract in human eye by Rakesh Ahuja, MD is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

Fig 12. Tongue blisters 1 by Dschwen is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia
Commons.

Bibliography

“Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders.” AboutKidsHealth. Accessed September 15, 2021.
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/ent.

Gega, Peter C., and Joseph M. Peters. 1998. Concepts and Experiences in Elementary School
Science. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Handwerker, Mark J. 2004. Science Essentials, Elementary Level. New York: Jossey-Bass.

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Nemours KidsHealth. "How Your Skin Works." YouTube. August 22, 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMGgCxUyXT8.

Mr. R.'s Songs for Teaching. "5 Senses Song - The sense of Taste!" YouTube. October 15,
2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14-sCPetUMc.

Peters, Joseph M., and David L. Stout. 2011. Science in Elementary Education: Methods,
Concepts, and Inquiries. Boston: Pearson Education.

"Your Eyes." KidsHealth. Accessed September 15, 2021.

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/eyes.html.

"Your Tongue." KidsHealth. Accessed September 15, 2021.

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/tongue.html.

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