[07] Biophysics in Sensory Perception

Question 1

What does “sensory perception” mean?

Answer 1

It refers to the process that allows our brains to take in information via our five senses, interpret and make sense of this information.

Question 2

What are the five main senses?

Answer 2

• Sight (vision)
• Hearing (audition)
• Smell (olfaction)
• Taste (gustation)
• Touch (somatosensation)

Question 3

How does the sense of “Sight” work, in the context of biophysics?

Answer 3

Light enters the eye, strikes the retina and generates a bioelectrical signal that is carried to the brain via the optic nerve.

Question 4

How does the sense of “Hearing” work, in the context of biophysics?

Answer 4

Sound waves vibrate the eardrum and auditory ossicles. These vibrations are transferred into the cochlea where they create fluid waves that trigger a neural signal.

Question 5

How does the sense of “Smell” work, in the context of biophysics?

Answer 5

Odor molecules bind to receptors in the nose, triggering an electrical signal that is sent to the brain.

Question 6

How does the sense of “Taste” work, in the context of biophysics?

Answer 6

Chemical substances in food activate taste buds on the tongue, which send signals to the brain.

Question 7

How does the sense of “Touch” work, in the context of biophysics?

Answer 7

Receptors in the skin respond to physical contact by generating electrical signals, which are sent to the brain.

Question 8

What are “Photoreceptors” in the context of vision?

Answer 8

Photoreceptors are cells in the retina that respond to light.

Question 9

What are “Hair Cells” in the context of hearing?

Answer 9

Hair cells are sensory cells in the cochlea that transform sound vibrations into electrical signals.

Question 10

What are “Olfactory Receptors” in the context of smell?

Answer 10

Olfactory receptors are proteins in the nose that bind to odor molecules and trigger a neural response.

Question 11

What are “Taste Receptors” in the context of taste?

Answer 11

Taste receptors are cells in taste buds that respond to chemical substances in food.

Question 12

What are “Mechanoreceptors” in the context of touch?

Answer 12

Mechanoreceptors are sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Question 13

What is a “Neural Signal” in the context of sensory perception?

Answer 13

It’s an electrical signal transmitted by neurons, carrying sensory information to the brain.

Question 14

What is “Transduction” in the context of sensory perception?

Answer 14

Transduction is the process by which sensory stimuli are converted into signals the brain can interpret.

Question 15

How does the brain interpret these sensory signals?

Answer 15

The brain interprets sensory signals based on their frequency and pattern, as well as their route of transmission.

Question 16

What is the role of the “Thalamus” in sensory perception?

Answer 16

The thalamus is a part of the brain that processes and relays sensory information to the appropriate parts of the cortex.

Question 17

What is “Perception Threshold”?

Answer 17

It’s the minimum level of stimulus intensity needed for a person to detect the stimulus.

Question 18

What is “Sensory Adaptation”?

Answer 18

Sensory adaptation is a process where our sensitivity to a constant stimulus decreases over time.

Question 19

What is “Signal Amplification” in sensory perception?

Answer 19

It is the process of boosting the strength of sensory signals for better transmission and perception.