Sensory Systems: The Neuroscience of Our Senses

How does our skin know the difference between an icicle and a match? See how in a simplified slice of skin.

Learn about the sensory endings in skin and what tunes each one to a particular type of signal.

How does the anatomy of the inner ear separate and detect sound waves? Preview and download Hear.

Find out about the properties of sound, and learn how our ears convert vibrations to nerve signals.

Download Balance, then spin, shake, and watch. This app responds to your movements in real time, showing how the inner ear senses rotation, gravity, and acceleration.

Proprioception keeps us aware of our moving parts and tells us which way is up. Learn more about the inputs and outputs that influence body awareness.

Have you ever wondered what your dog sees? Download See and look through the eyes of a dog, an octopus, a color blind person, and more.

Find out what makes visible light 'visible' and how color vision works.

Natural selection has generated a diverse collection of eyes, from simple to complex, that help animals sense their surroundings.

Learn about some basic genetic components for building an eye.

See how the nose and the tongue sense chemicals, and learn the difference between taste and flavor.

Learn how our genes and our experience make taste and smell preferences so highly individual.

Sensory systems use a limited number of protein receptors in different ways to detect a broad array of signals.

No sensory system works in isolation. Learn how sensory systems work together to build our everyday experiences.