Sense Organs (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Biology): Revision Note
Exam code: 5090
Sense Organs as Receptors
- Receptors are groups of specialised cells 
- They detect a change in the environment and stimulate electrical impulses in response 
- Sense organs contain groups of receptors that respond to specific stimuli 
| Sense Organ | What it is sensitive to | Sense | 
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Heat and cold, pressure, pain | Touch (pressure) and temperature | 
| Tongue | Chemicals in food and drink | Taste | 
| Nose | Chemicals in the air | Smell | 
| Ear | Sounds and movement | Hearing and balance | 
| Eye | Light | Sight | 
- Once the receptor cell in the sense organ has been stimulated, it generates an electrical impulse 
- This is passed on to a sensory neurone which carries the impulse to the central nervous system 
- Here a response will be decided on and the impulse will be passed to a motor neurone (via a relay neurone) 
- The motor neurone carries the impulse to the effector (muscle or gland) 
- The effector carries out the response 
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