Have you ever seen a flower from far away? Does that flower have a scent? Probably not. As one gets closer,
they may be able to smell the aroma of the flower. How does a flower become a sent that is recognizable by
the brain. This activity should help you solidify your understanding of how sensations become
perceptions.Each type of sensory input converts a specific type of stimulus into a neural code that is
interpreted by the brain and contributes to the representation of the world around us. The common thread
across all the senses is the use of the neural code to transmit the information. The question arises then, if all
the senses use the same neural code, action potentials, how do we distinguish between the types of stimuli. In
this critical thinking activity, you will create a short voiceover presentation that successfully and persuasively
argues your perspective on the topic below. You will use your knowledge about sensation and perception to
create a successful oral argument. From the following scenario, argue your point in a 90 – 120 second
multimedia presentation that includes voiceover:
Option #2:
We humans tend to view the cortex as the most important brain structure, presumably because we are the
species with the largest cortexes. However, one might argue from several perspectives that the lower
sensorimotor functions are more important. Make your case.
‘WRITER’ ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
With either option, you must present some scholarly evidence and an example to support your argument.
- You should describe how external energy for the sensory system you are focused on is converted into action
potentials, known as transduction. - Then, describe the specialized cells and the mechanisms they use to make this conversion.
- Lastly, describe what happens to these action potentials that they are interpreted as different forms of
information.