Biological Influences Essay

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BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES Abstract This paper looks at the concept of sensory adaptation. It will discuss the process of sensation and perception as it pertains to the senses it comes in contact with. This paper will also discuss the results of the experiments conducted and their descriptive results. The Biological Influences of Sensory Adaptation Sensory adaptation is the process by which senses become less responsive to particular stimuli. (Editorial Board 2011). Sensory adaptation occurs when the "continued presence of that same stimulus results in a loss of sensitivity". This will only change when a different or stronger stimulus is introduced to the receptors thereby causing a new sensitivity reaction. I conducted three experiments, which involved touch and taste in order to test the experience of sensory adaptation. Experiment 1 In the first experiment, I take a piece of rough sandpaper and rub my index finger over it and rate it on a scale from one to seven, one being very soft escalating in degree to seven being very coarse. The first time, the sandpaper felt very coarse or rough to the touch. As such; the rating given for the first exposure was a seven. After waiting a minute or two, I then rubbed my finger over it again. The sandpaper did not feel as coarse the second time; so I rated it about a four. I waited another minute, and rubbed it again, the sandpaper felt even less coarse than the previous time, I rated it at about a three. It seemed that over time, my receptors became accustomed to the feeling and therefore, I started to adapt to the coarseness of the sand paper. Experiment 2 For the second experiment, I took two cups and filled one with fresh water and one with sugar water. I took a sip of the sugar water, held it in my mouth, swishing it around methodically. As I continued to hold it in my mouth, the sugar water did not taste as

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