Behind Sensations — Important Questions

Controls the size of the pupil, Gives color to the eye, Protects the eye from UV rays

The iris has muscles that control pupil size, contains melanin pigment that gives eye color and absorbs UV rays. The lens focuses light, and lacrimal glands produce tears, not the iris.

Semicircular canals, Utricle and Saccule, Vestibular system

The vestibular system includes three semicircular canals (detect rotational movement) and the vestibule containing utricle and saccule (detect linear movement). The cochlea and Organ of Corti are responsible for hearing, not balance.

Olfactory receptors in the nose

Olfactory receptors are specialized neurons in the nasal mucus membrane that detect smell molecules dissolved in mucus. Taste buds detect taste, hair cells detect sound/balance, and touch receptors detect physical sensations.

6 types

Humans can recognize six main types of taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent (spicy), and umami (savory). These tastes are detected by chemoreceptors in taste buds located on the tongue and other parts of the mouth.