Sensory Receptors Experiments

Try at least 2 experiments and answer the follow up questions.

Sensory Receptor Experiments

Question

How does your color vision change when looking at objects in the light vs in the dark? Answer in Padlet!

1. Lay out different colors of construction paper/objects under a good light source.
2. Can you tell the difference between the colors?
3. Turn off the lights in the room.
4. Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness.
5. Can you see the color of each paper/object?

Directions

Materials: Colored construction paper from kit OR any different color objects

This experiment demonstrates how the rods and cones in your eyes work differently.

VISION

Answer in Padlet!

How does flavor change when the nose is blocked? Why do you think so?

Question

1. Place mint candy on tongue while holding nose at same time.
2. Leave mint candy on tongue for a few seconds, consider the flavor.
3. Take the candy off your tongue.
4. Rinse mouth with water.
5. Put mint candy back on your tongue without holding nose.

Directions

Materials: Mint candy from science kit or intensely flavored food, water

This experiment demonstrates the relationship between smell and taste.

SMELL AND TASTE

Answer in Padlet!

Which area (back of arm, hand, or palm) has the most sensation receptors? Why do you think that?

Question

Ask them if they feel 2 tips or 1.

Ask them if they feel 2 tips or 1.

1. Unbend a paper clip and shape it so it looks like a U
2. Have partner close eyes and place both tips on the back of their arm.
3. Change the distance between the tips and try a few more times, sometimes only using one tip (do not tell your partner when you do this).
4. Repeat with the back of the hand and the palm.

Directions

You will need a partner for this experiment.

Materials: Paper clips from science kit

This experiment demonstrates how skin sensitivy differs on different parts of the arm and hand.

TOUCH

How does the ability to move the head help find the location of the sound? OR What is the difference in locating the sound when an ear is plugged? Answer in Padlet.

Question

1. Have partner close eyes and try to point to the ticking object. Their head should stay in the same position.
2. Have partner turn head to try to identify location of sound.
3. Repeat experiment with 1 ear plugged/covered.

Directions

Materials: Ticking clock or kitchen timer

You will need a partner for this experiment.

This experiment demonstrates how your ears help identify the location of sounds.

HEARING