Sensory Receptors Experiments

Sensory Receptor Experiments

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

VISION

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

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

Directions

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?

Question to Answer After Experiment

SMELL AND TASTE

This experiment demonstrates the relationship between smell and taste.

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

Directions

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.

Question to Answer After Experiment

TOUCH

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

Materials: Paper clips from science kit

You will need a partner for this experiment.

Directions

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.

Ask them if they feel 2 tips or 1.

Ask them if they feel 2 tips or 1.

Question to Answer After Experiment

HEARING

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

You will need a partner for this experiment.

Materials: Ticking clock or kitchen timer

Directions

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.

Question toAnswer After Experiment