Review Guide: The Special Senses
1. Within our body we have General and Special Receptors. What is the difference?
2. Give examples of the General and Special Receptors we discussed.
Skin
3. Our Skin has General Receptors. Give Examples & Explain their function.
Olfactory Sense
4. Which cells are involved in the Olfactory Sense? Explain.
5. Explain how the olfactory sense works.
6. What area of the brain interprets the olfactory sense?
Gustatory Sense
7. Explain the taste sensations of our tongue.
8. Explain the function of the 3 kind of lingual papillae.
9. What cells are involved in the gustatory sense?
10. Explain how the gustatory sense works.
Visual Sense
11. Explain the Accessory Structures of the Eye.
12. The eye has three layers. Explain each layer. (Hint: One of those layers is the Retina, which
has 3 neuron layers)
13. Our Eye has two types of photoreceptors. Explain.
14. On the Retina are three special area: Macula, Fovea centralis & Optic disk. Explain.
15. Light activates a pigment protein (rhodopsin) in cones & rods. Where is rhodopsin found?
16. Explain how the Visual Sense works.
Auditory Sense
17. Sound waves are “caught” by the Pinna, travel through the Auditory Canal and cause the
Tympanic membrane to move. What happens next? (Ossicles, Cochlea, Perilymph, Oval
window & Round Window)
Balance & Equilibrium
18. Explain the structures of the Vestibular Complex.
19. Explain the “action” within the Ampulla that deals with Equilibrium & Balance detection.
20. Explain how the Utricles, Saccules & Maculae function?
Hearing
21. The Cochlear contains 3 ducts. Explain their function.
22. Explain how the sense of hearing works.
23. What part of the brain interprets what we hear?
24. Label the Diagrams in your Note Outline.