29.

3 The Senses

KEY CONCEPT
The senses detect the internal and external
environments.
29.3 The Senses
The senses help to maintain homeostasis.
• Senses gather stimuli, and send
it to the nervous system.
• Nervous system responds to
stimuli.
– Pupils shrink when too much
light enters the eyes.
– Goose bumps when cold air
touches skin.
29.3 The Senses

The senses detect physical and chemical stimuli.

• The eye contributes to vision.
– Photoreceptors sense light.
– Two photoreceptors work
together: rod cells and cone
cells.
29.3 The Senses

Eye Anatomy
29.3 The Senses

• The ear contributes to hearing.

– mechanoreceptors called hair cells
– bend in response to vibrations
29.3 The Senses

• Hair cells – the specialized cells in the inner ear that

contain mechanoreceptors that detect vibrations.
29.3 The Senses

Ear Anatomy
29.3 The Senses

• Taste and smell use chemoreceptors.

– Taste uses tongue, and smell uses nose.

– Chemoreceptors detect chemicals dissolved in fluid.
29.3 The Senses

Tastebud
29.3 The Senses

• The skin senses touch.

– Mechanoreceptors detect pressure.
– Pain receptors detect damaged tissue.
– Thermoreceptors detect temperature.

pain receptor

light pressure receptor

hair follicle

heavy pressure receptor

29.3 The Senses

Skin Anatomy