Operation Animal Physiology with Sensors and EffectorsSecret Agent Ryan Jahansooz Co-conspirators Zac Foster, Tyler Voss, and Hunter Wolfbear DrobenaireSponsored by the Biology 001 Organization on 12-3-2013Abstract:This lab experiment was a test of our human senses. It was important that we understand how our senses work because in our habitats we rely on them to detect dangers. The senses we have as humans are very similar to the senses that other mammals have. We tested our senses by using specialized tools in cooperation with our own reflexes and perspective. These tests included things such as detecting the distance between two points on our legs and using controlled lights to dilate our pupils. We were able to learn about how different parts of our bodies are used for different jobs. For example, our lips and fingers are sensitive enough to detect slight changes in temperature and pressure, while our forearms and legs require a more significant change to detect anything. In the end, we found the human bodyto be an efficient gatherer of environmental information. Introduction:The human body has five physical senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Each of these senses has its own part of the body that allows it to perform its job. Some senses, like taste and smell, work together to provide us with a clearer picture of what we are eating or smelling. Others, like sight and sound, work alone. We use these senses to passively gather data and information about our surroundings. They allow us to detect and avoid dangers every day. Itis important that we understand how senses work so that we can better understand how similarorganisms interpret their environments.The sense of touch is one that we are both constantly aware of and one that we neglect for most of our lives. Skin receptors spread throughout our epidermis and our organs constantlyfeed us information on contact, pressures, temperatures, and even pain. Constant unchanging sources of information, like the pressure from our clothes, will usually be forgotten temporarily to allow us to react faster to sudden sensations such as changes in temperature or getting a paper cut. Some parts of our body that we use every minute have more receptors than others. Our lips and fingers are able to detect minuscule changes in distance and temperature, while our broader expanses of skin on our legs, arms, and chests require a larger difference to detect any change. When there are sudden painful sensations, the body has a set of reflexes that help minimize contact time to reduce the amount of damage done. These reflexes are almost instantaneous involuntary reactions to stimuli such as pain, pressure, or changes in light. It typically only takes a few milliseconds for a reflex to take action. The most commonly used reflex in our body is in our eye’s iris. It makes slight adjustments every time there is a change in light to ensure that our eyes are not overexposed in bright situations and that we have adequate light in dim areas.Our bodies move using three types of muscle. These types are cardiac, skeletal, and smooth. Each muscle type fulfills a specific purpose. Cardiac muscles are found in the heart and are able to expand and contract rapidly for long periods of time. This allows our hearts to pump constantly without rest. Skeletal muscles are made of fibers that are tubular, multinucleated, and striated, and are the ones that we have more of a conscious control of. We use them to move our skeleton, and thus our whole bodies. Smooth muscles are located in the walls of our hollow internal organs. They are spindle shaped, and each one has its own nucleus. This muscle type acts involuntarily, does not fatigue easily, and has the ability to sustain contractions for very long periods of time.Generally, this lab explores the abilities of our five senses that we, as humans, use every millisecond to gather information on our surroundings. Each sense provides us with a clearer picture of what is going on around us. It is absolutely crucial that we have a solid grasp on how we function as humans because it allows us to better understand how similar mammals experience their environments. Materials and Methods:The experimental procedures for this lab were adapted from a previously supplied protocol.The procedures in this lab were simple enough that there were no deviations from protocol.Results:Section One: Skin Receptors:In the first part of this lab, we ran a series of tests to determine the limits and abilities ofthe receptors in our skin that feed us information on what we are feeling. As you can see in Fig 1, Fig 2, and Fig 3, parts of our bodies that had high concentrations of these receptors were ableto give us much more precise information. Our lips, tongues, and fingers were able to determinesmall distances between two points, remember specific locations where pressure was applied, and react to fine changes in temperature and humidity. Areas populated by fewer receptors were unable to respond to the tests with anything close to the proficiency of the locations with more receptors. Some receptors were more specialized. Receptors in our tongue were able to determine the taste of objects placed on them. Some parts of our tongues were more adept at determining specific tastes like sweetness or saltiness, as you can see in Fig 7, but in general these receptors were all proficient.Other receptors in our bodies were able to detect pain caused by severe temperatures. When exposed to hot and cold bathes, these receptors caused a painful reaction that made us want to remove our hands immediately. After lengthy exposure, however, these receptors did adapt to their new environments, though the feelings of pain still lingered for a while. These results can be seen in Fig 5 and Fig 6.Fig 1: Two Point Discrimination DistancesRegion of Body Two-Point Discrimination (mm)Region of Body Two-Point Discrimination (mm)Back of Neck 1 Palm of Hand 7Finger Tip 2 Forearm 21Upper Lip 1 Tip of Tongue 1Calf of Leg 25Fig 2: Tactile Stimulus DistancesRegion of Body Distance (mm) Region of Body Distance (mm)Forearm 36 Fingertip 18Calf of Leg 15 Palm of Hand 10Upper Lip 7Fig 3: Adaptation TimesRegion of Body Time(s) Region of Body Time(s)Forearm A 10 Forearm Stacking A 4Forearm B 8 Forearm Stacking B 7Fig 4: Thermoreceptors SensationsLeft Hand Sensation Right Hand SensationIce Water Sharp pain Warm Water WarmRoomTemperatureWaterSharp pain