Question

You are already familiar with the fact that different organisms often exhibit common adaptations that help them succeed in a given environment. Common adaptations are also often seen within organisms in the anatomy and physiology of organs or organ systems.
Think about the anatomy and physiology of the ear in both hearing and balance and compare that to what you now know about the anatomy and physiology of the olfactory receptor cells in the nose.
Explain a common adaptation to all 3 senses. Discuss the adaptation they all share and explain how the adaptation is used differently for each sense.

Answer 1

Answer:

*Sensory adaptation* is the common adaptation in all three sense. Sensory adaptation is the process in which changes in the sensitivity of sensory receptors occur in relation to the stimulus. All senses are believed to experience sensory adaptation.

Explanation:

This adaptation is shared as well as used differently as explained below.

1) Hearing+balance :In terms of hearing, our ears adapt to loud sound as it hits the small bones located in the inner ear. The loud sound leads the inner ear bone/s to contract. This contraction causes the reduction or delay of transmission of sound vibrations to the inner ear. Detection of the vibrations follows. However, this process of auditory adaptation usually does not work very well with loud sounds that are sudden or instantaneous. Examples of these sounds are gun shots or explosions

2)Smell :Low concentrations of several chemicals present in the air can be detected by the sensory receptors in the nose. These chemicals that we quickly detect include those in perfumes or air fresheners