Study Guide |
Explore This Topic |
Meet the Scientist
Links & Resources |
Teacher Resources
Overview
The touch of a feather. The sound of your morning alarm. The sweet taste of chocolate. The bitter bite of coffee. The striking colors of an evening sunset. We have the remarkable ability to identify and differentiate a dazzling array of sensations. How does the body distinguish the touch of a feather from sandpaper? What biochemical mechanisms permit you to enjoy the sweet taste of a ripe mango, the savory comfort of fresh bread and countless other flavors? What complex processes enable you to witness the stunning colors of a butterfly? Sensations, the body's interpretation of and response to a vast array of environmental stimuli, begin in specialized receptors. The subject of this lesson, and the accompanying lecture video with Dr. Charles Zuker, is what scientific research tells us about how three different types of receptor cells (photoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and chemoreceptors) work.
Why This Science Matters
Understanding the intricate mechanisms at work in photoreceptors, mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors is an important step toward the diagnosis and potential treatment of patients with sensory disorders. Dr. Zuker and his colleagues use recent advances in genetics to identify and isolate specific proteins and biochemical pathways involved in capturing environmental stimuli and translating them into neurological signals. As exciting progress is made toward demystifying these pathways, scientists will be able to focus their research directly on problems within these pathways that may lead to sensory disorders limiting sight, hearing, balance, and taste.
Lesson developed by Clara Cahill, who teaches chemistry and biology at Gompers High School.
| 
