Explore the Fascinating World of Sensory & Perception! - Essay Sample

Introduction

The chapter on the sensory and perceptual system is the most interesting chapter to read. It has subtopics, on the categories of sensory systems, vision, smell and taste and other elements of perception

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Vision

Vision is described as a crucial sensory ability involving the transformation of light into a psychological experience of the surrounding environment. The process of transforming light into neural energy is complex. The first stage is the light on the eye, activating a photochemical reaction known as photoactivation.Photoactivation makes the light energy turn into neural energy that enables the psychological perception of the environment. The light travels in processes, hitting the pupil, which is a tiny hole leading a limited amount of light to the cornea. The lenses project the light to the retina, where millions of photoreceptors cells transduce it to neural energy. The optic nerve connects the vision with the brain for processing. Visual information is transmitted to the brain through the nerve fibers of the optic nerve. The brain is responsible for contrast. The sensory receptors have two special cells the rods and cones, which help an individual adjust top and lighting. There are many rods than cons in the human vision system, making people see at night or under little lighting.

Taste and Smell

Another sensory aspect is the taste known as guttation and smells, referred to as olfaction. Human beings are omnivores, and to survive, they largely depend on smell and taste to identify the right food that is less likely to be poisonous. The sensory ability to smell and the taste is a biological process enabled by the brain. The brain keeps the chemical structures of the odors or tastes and smells in any environment. The sketches of the odor or tastes in different environments make people from diverse parts of the world have different likings for some smells and odors.

There is always a question on the taste and smell, dilemma associated with human beings. The smell is complex and controlled by many genes known as the G proteins receptors responsible for the transmission of the olfactory message to the brain. Taste is facilitated by a natural receptor that is inborn. Every olfactory cell has projections called glomeruli, which increases surface area for transmission. The process of tasting can be affected, however, by ear infections such as tonsils. People affected by tonsils lose the sense of taste and are attracted to fatty foods, which explains the logic of why people with ear problems tend to grow fat.

Hearing is another important sense in perception. Hearing makes the perception of the world through acoustic vibrations possible. It is one of the most crucial channels of communication, which is essential in the daily survival of human beings.The understanding of earing starts with the understanding of the anatomy of the external, middle, and inner ear, which are important auditory pathways. There are several attributes of sounds, pitch, timbre, loudness, and other factors of the sound that are likely to affect the functioning of the hearing sense.

Hearing

A sound has to be conveyed to the central nervous system of the brain to make it have a sense after it is transformed. The energy of the sound enters the ear as vibrations at the tympanic membrane and the ossicles at the middle ear. The energy turns into fluid energy at the cochlea. The waves at the fluids are transmitted through a membrane known as the basilar membrane and kindle the Corti hair cells. The role of the cells is the turning of the sound vibrations into nerve impulses, which are relayed to the brainstem. The brain processes the sound at the cerebral cortex, making the hearer responsive of the sound. The process happens fast enough to allow the listener to perceive the slightest sounds and raising awareness of the environment. Pich and loudness can cause damage to the ear. High frequencies have been discovered to damage the cochlea, which is the most delicate part of the hearing system. The time of exposure and the loudness of a sound can cause permanent damage to individuals' hearing

Touch and Pain

The sensory system of touch is important for the sensing of the environment and the assessment of risks. Touch is also a source of pleasure. Sensory circuits and nerves are responsible for the transmission of signals of touch, evoking necessary reaction in response to the stimuli. A case of a Patient named Thomas is an example of the usefulness of the sense of touch. Thomas has no sense of touch, hence knocks on objects and ends up hurting himself without knowing. She does not enjoy the feeling of surfaces, making his life difficult. The sensory process has a relationship with the psychological functioning of an individual.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sensory systems create experiences for people. People are able to judge whether a condition is pleasant or not. It helps in the survival of human beings. An example of a man named Thomas has been used to illustrate the importance of feeling pain. Thomas cannot feel any pain due to a genetic defect, hence keeps injuring himself. The people can feel the touch of the world with the sensations such as the taste and smell.