DK - WOW! The Visual Encyclopedia of Everything

Our senses make us aware of the world around us,

and the changes that are happening in it. The eyes

detect light waves, and the ears sound waves, enabling

us to see and hear. The tongue and nose detect dissolved

chemicals so we can taste, smell, and enjoy flavours. The

skin allows us to feel the texture and warmth of objects.

Senses

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(^1) VISION
Vision is the most important sense, providing the brain
with an immense amount of information about the body’s
surroundings. Light reflected from, or produced by, outside
objects is automatically focused onto a layer of light receptors
that lines the back of the eye. In response, these receptors
send signals to areas at the back of the brain. From there,
we can determine what we are looking at and where it is,
thus enabling us to “see” moving, 3-D images in colour.
(^2) HEARING
The ears detect waves of pressure, called sound waves,
that travel through the air. Sound waves are produced
by objects, such as a ringing mobile phone or bell,
which move or vibrate. The waves pass into the inner
ear, which is enclosed in bone on the side of the skull.
Here, receptors convert pressure waves into signals.
The signals travel to the brain, which identifies the
pitch, volume, and direction of the sound.
Spiky papilla enables
the tongue to grip
food, but does not
house taste buds
Ear flap captures
sound waves and
funnels them
into the ear canal
Ringing the bell creates
sound waves, which are
detected by the ears
Sweets taste sweet
because they contain
lots of sugar

H

an

d

be

ll

Iris controls the

amount of light

entering the eye

Shapes, colour,

and movement

are all detected by

the sense of vision

Ear canal leads to

the inner ear where

sounds are detected

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Smartphone

078_079_Senses.indd 78 03/01/19 12:09 PM