Any senses categorized as special senses have this in common
A. They are the only receptor types located in the head.
B. They are all exteroceptors
C. They all use a type of chemical receptor to sense stimuli
D. All their sensory neurons have specialty cells used for sensing
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is D. All their sensory neurons have specialty cells used for sensing.
Explanation:
Special senses are those that have specialized sensory organs devoted to detecting specific types of stimuli, which are typically located in the head region. These senses include vision, hearing, taste, smell, and equilibrium (balance). They are all distinct from the general senses, such as touch or temperature, which are more widespread throughout the body.
1. Specialized Sensory Cells:
Each special sense utilizes specialized cells that are uniquely equipped to detect specific types of stimuli:
- Vision: Photoreceptor cells in the retina (rods and cones) detect light and color.
- Hearing: Hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear detect sound vibrations.
- Taste: Gustatory cells on the taste buds are specialized to detect chemicals in food.
- Smell: Olfactory cells in the nasal cavity detect airborne chemicals.
- Equilibrium: Hair cells in the vestibular system detect changes in position and movement of the head.
These sensory cells are designed to respond to very specific environmental stimuli, and they convert those stimuli into neural signals that the brain can interpret.
2. Why Not the Other Options?
- A. They are the only receptor types located in the head.: While many special senses are located in the head (like vision, smell, and hearing), general senses (like touch and pain) can be found throughout the body, not just the head.
- B. They are all exteroceptors.: Not all special senses are exteroceptors. For instance, equilibrium (balance) is considered an interoceptor, as it detects changes in body position and movement.
- C. They all use a type of chemical receptor to sense stimuli: This is not true for all special senses. For example, vision uses photoreceptors, which are light-sensitive, not chemical receptors. Only taste and smell rely on chemical receptors.
In summary, special senses share the feature that they all use specialized cells to detect sensory information, which makes option D the correct choice.