Sensory Organs

Sensory organs are specialized body parts that enable organisms to perceive the world around them. They detect and respond to stimuli from the external environment, allowing organisms to gather information and interact with their surroundings. The major sensory organs in humans include the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin.

The Eye

The eye is the organ of vision and is composed of several parts including the cornea, iris, lens, retina, and optic nerve. The cornea and lens focus light onto the retina, which contains photoreceptor cells called rods and cones. These cells convert light into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve, allowing us to see and perceive visual information.

The Ear

The ear is the organ of hearing and balance, and is divided into three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Sound waves are captured by the outer ear and travel through the ear canal to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. The vibrations are then transmitted through the middle ear bones to the cochlea in the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for interpretation.

The Nose

The nose is the organ of smell and is responsible for detecting airborne molecules that enter the nasal cavity. Specialized olfactory receptor cells in the nasal cavity detect these molecules and send signals to the brain, allowing us to perceive different odors and scents.

The Tongue

The tongue is the organ of taste and is covered with taste buds that detect different flavors such as sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. These taste buds send signals to the brain, allowing us to perceive and distinguish between different tastes and flavors.

The Skin

The skin is the largest sensory organ in the body and is responsible for detecting touch, pressure, temperature, and pain. Specialized receptors in the skin transmit information to the brain, allowing us to sense and respond to the external environment.

Study Guide

What are sensory organs and their function?
Describe the structure and function of the eye.
Explain the process of hearing and balance in the ear.
How does the nose detect different odors?
Discuss the role of the tongue in perceiving taste.
What are the functions of the skin as a sensory organ?

◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Eighth Grade. Volcanoes

Vocabulary/Answer key

Volcanoes

Vocabulary/Answer key

Volcanoes

Vocabulary/Answer key

Volcanoes

The resources above cover the following skills:

Earth/Space Science: Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the chemical and physical interactions (i.e., natural forces and cycles, transfer of energy) of the environment, Earth, and the universe that occur over time.

Earth History: Explain how sedimentary rock is formed periodically, embedding plant and animal remains and leaving a record of the sequence in which the plants and animals appeared and disappeared.

Explain how sedimentary rock buried deep enough may be reformed by pressure and heat and these reformed rock layers may be forced up again to become land surface and even mountains.