Sensation

A Module B Lesson 2 Tutorial

Created by: Professor HokersonAmerican River CollegeLast Updated: Spring 2013

Using this Tutorial

Use the navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen.

Click on hyperlinks when prompted.

Have fun and learn!

Table of Contents (TOC)

Objectives Module B Objectives # 13, 14, 16, and 18

Action Items Sensation and Perception Detecting sensory information Sensory Organs and Functions Summary of Sensory Processes

Conclusions

Module B Objectives

After completing this tutorial you will be able to…

# 13– Differentiate between sensation and perception.

#14 – Identify the functions and structures that produce vision.

#16 – Identify the functions and structures that produce hearing.

#18 – Explain how “chemical senses” produce smell and taste.

Action items

Objective 13

Differentiate between sensation and perception

What do you see? Do you see an old

woman?

Do you see a young woman?

Chances are that by now you see both! That’s because your eyes are picking up sensory information and sending it to your brain to interpret!

What’s the difference?

SENSATION PERCEPTION

Sensory information Sound waves (ears) Light wavelength (eyes) Pressure (skin) Chemicals (nose and tongue)

olfaction and gustation

Sensory organs encodes environmental stimuli into “brain language” as it is relayed to the brain!

Information relayed from sensory organs is interpreted in the brain

This process is an active (and subjective) interpretation of neural impulses Integrated Organized Interpreted

Example

Apple Crunchsound waves in earsdissolvable chemicals in nose

Apple Aroma

Apple TasteDissolvable chemicals in mouth Smooth apple

skinPressure in hand

Red appleLight waves in eyes

Detecting Sensory Information

Absolute Threshold

Difference Threshold

The minimum amount of environmental stimulus necessary (half the time) to detect the presence of these apples.

The minimum amount of environmental stimulus necessary (half the time) to detect the colors of these apples.

Fact or Fiction Question: With all of the sensory information

that our bodies pick up at a time, is it possible to pay attention to all of it?

Watch! Click here to watch a short video that tests your perception.

Watch! Not convinced? Click here to try another perception test!

Just think of all of the important details that we miss!

Objective 14

Identify the functions and structures that produce vision

How We See (Vision) Review: Chapter 3 (pages 92 – 97)

Objective 16

Identify the functions and structures that produce hearing

How We Hear (Audition) Review: Chapter 3 (pages 101 – 104)

More About Audition Watch! Click here to go to this interactive

tutorial which takes you through the process of audition. This website requires Adobe Shockwave and make sure your volume is turned on!

Question: Why do people suffer from hearing loss? Click here to find out what are its causes.

Objective 18

Explain how the “chemical senses” produce smell and taste.

How We Smell (Olfaction) Watch: Here is a fun

TedDEd video lesson about our olfactory sense!

Did you know? Have you ever wondered why pee smells after you eat asparagus? Or maybe you’ve never noticed? Here is an interesting article that helps to explain why or why not this happens!

Olfactory Pathways in the Brain Review: Chapter 3 (pages 105 – 107)

How We Taste (Gustation) Review: Chapter 3 (pages 107 – 108)

Watch! Click here to go to this interactive tutorial which takes you through the process of audition. This website requires Adobe Shockwave and make sure your volume is turned on!

Fun facts! Here are some more fun facts about the chemical senses!

Summary of Sensory Processes

Conclusions

Sensation and perception are dual processes. Our sensory organs react to the environment. Our brain interprets sensory information. Perception is dependent upon sensation.

Both are essential for us to successfully navigate through our daily experiences.

Module B Objectives

After completing this tutorial you should now be able to…

# 13– Differentiate between sensation and perception.

#14 – Identify the functions and structures that produce vision.

#16 – Identify the functions and structures that produce hearing.

#18 – Explain how “chemical senses” produce smell and taste.