CHAPTER ONE

LEARNING AREA:
The World Through Our Senses

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1.1 Sensory Organs and Their Functions
1.2 Our Sense of Touch
1.3 Our Sense of Smell
1.4 Our Sense of Taste
1.5 Our Sense of Hearing and Sound
1.6 Our Sense of Sight and Light
1.7 Stimuli and Responses in Plants

Learning Objective: 1.1 Understanding the sensory organs and their functions.
Learning Outcomes:
Identify and relate a sensory organ to its stimulus.
State the pathway from stimulus to response.
Stimulus
Sensory Organ
Nerves
Brain
1.

Nerves

Response

Complete the table below to identify and relate a sensory organ to its stimulus using
the words given.

Eye

Ear

Skin

Sensory Organ

Stimulus
light

Nose

airborne chemical
sound
touch

Tongue

2.

chemicals in food or drinks

Identify X and Y in the diagram below to state the pathway from stimulus to
response.

Stimulus

X
(Detect)

(nerve)

Brain
(Interpret)

(nerve)
Y
(Result)

a. X detects the stimulus and changes it into impulses: _____________________

b. Y is the result carried out either by the muscles or glands: __________________

Learning Objective: 1.1 Understanding the sensory organs and their functions.
Answer Scheme

1.

Complete the table below to identify and relate a sensory organ to its stimulus using
the words given.

Eye

Ear

Skin

Identify the sensory organ with the correct stimulus in the table below.

2.

Sensory Organ

Stimulus

Eye

light

Nose

airborne chemical

Ear

sound

Skin

touch

Tongue

chemicals in food or drinks

Identify X and Y in the diagram below to state the pathway from stimulus to
response.

Stimulus

X
(Detect)

(nerve)

Brain

(nerve)

(Interpret)

Y
(Result)

a. X detects the stimulus and changes it into impulses: sensory organ

b. Y is the result carried out either by the muscles or glands: response

Learning Objective: 1.2 Understanding the senses of touch.

Learning Outcomes:
Identify the structure of human skin involved in stimuli detection.
State the function of different receptors.
Draw conclusion on the sensivity of the skin at different parts of the body towards
stimuli.
1.

Label the diagram below to identify the structure of the human skin involved in stimuli
detection using the words given.
Pressure
a)

Touch

Pain

Heat
Cold

Epidermis
b)
Dermis
c)
Adipose

2.

State the function for the following receptors based on the diagram in (1).
a. Receptor 1(a) can detect the stimulus __________________________.
b. Receptor 1(b) can detect the stimulus __________________________.

3.

The table below shows the result of an experiment to test the sensivity of the skin to
detect the stimulus touch.

Area on the skin

TEST
(/)- detected (X)-not detected)
1
2
3

Palm

Elbow

Tip of pointer finger

Back of the hand

a. Based on the result above, which area on the skin is the most sensitive to the
stimulus touch?
_________________________________________________________________
b. Give one reason for your answer in 3(a).
__________________________________________________________________

Learning Objective: 1.2 Understanding the senses of touch.

Answer Scheme
1.

Label the diagram below to identify the structure of the human skin involved in stimuli
detection using the words given.
Pressure
a) Pain

Touch

Pain

Heat
Cold

Epidermis
b) Touch
Dermis
c) Pressure
Adipose

2.

State the function for the following receptors based on the diagram in (1).
a. Receptor 1(a) can detect the stimulus pain.
b. Receptor 1(b) can detect the stimulus touch.

3.

The table below shows the result of an experiment to test the sensivity of the skin to
detect the stimulus touch.

Area on the skin

TEST
(/)- detected (X)-not detected)
1
2
3

Palm

Elbow

Tip of pointer finger

Back of the hand

a. Based on the result above, which area on the skin is the most sensitive to the
stimulus touch?
Tip of pointer finger
b. Give one reason for your answer in 3(a).
There are more touch receptors / The touch receptors are closer together / the
epidermis layer is thin.

Learning Objective: 1.3 Understanding the senses of smell.

Learning Outcomes:
Identify the structure of the nose.
Identify the position of the sensory cells in the detection of the smell.
1.

Label the parts of the human nose in the diagram below using the words given.
Smell receptors

Nasal cavity

Nostril

a)
Airborne chemicals

b)

2.

c)

Complete the statements below to identify the position of the sensory cells in the
detection of the smell.

.
a. The nose is the sensory organ to detect the stimulus ___________________.
b. The smell receptors are found in the upper part of the __________________.
c. These smell receptors are covered with a thin layer of __________________.

Learning Objective: 1.3 Understanding the senses of smell.

Answer Scheme

1.

Label the parts of the human nose in the diagram below using the words given.
Smell receptors

Nasal cavity

Nostril

a) Smell receptors
Airborne chemicals

b) Nostril

2.

c) Nasal cavity

Complete the statements below to identify the position of the sensory cells in the
detection of the smell.
a. The nose is the sensory organ to detect the stimulus smell.
b. The smell receptors are found in the upper part of the nasal cavity.
c. These smell receptors are covered with a thin layer of mucus.

Learning Objective: 1.4 Understanding the senses of taste.

Learning Outcomes:
Identify the different areas of the tongue that respond to different taste.
Relate the sense of taste with the sense of smell.
1.

Label the diagram below to identify the different areas of the tongue that respond
to different taste using the words given.

Honey

Salted Fish

Lime Juice

COFFEE

a)

b)
c)

2.

A person who suffers a cold normally loses his appetite because his food does not
have any taste or smell.
Which sensory organ does the tongue works closely with?
___________________________________________________________________

Learning Objective: 1.4 Understanding the senses of taste.

Answer Scheme

1.

Label the diagram below to identify the different areas of the tongue that respond
to different taste using the words given.

Honey

Salted Fish

Lime Juice

COFFEE

a) Lime Juice

b) Salted Fish
c) Honey

2.

A person who suffers a cold normally loses his appetite because his food does not
have any taste or smell.
Which sensory organ does the tongue works closely with?
Nose

Learning Objective: 1.5 Understanding the sense of hearing.

Learning Outcomes:
Identify the structure of the human ear.
Explain the functions of the different parts of the ear.
Describe how we hear.
1.

Label the diagram below to identify the structure of the human ear using the words
given.
Ear lope

Auditory nerve

Cochlea
a)

Ossicles

b)

c)

Eustachian tube
2.

Identify the parts of the ear with the correct functions using the words given below to
explain the functions of the different parts of the ear.
Eustachian tube

Auditory nerves

Part of Ear
Ear pinna

Eardrum

Ear canal

Function
Collects and channel sound wave into the ear canal.
Directs sound wave to the eardrum.
Vibrates with the same frequency of the sound.

Oscicles

Amplifies sound vibrations passed by the eardrum.

Cochlea

Detect and converts sound wave into impulses.

Send impulses to the brain.
Equalises the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

3.

Complete the statement below to describe how we hear using the words given.
sound

ossicles

auditory

The ear detects stimulus in the form of __________________ wave when it hits the
eardrum and is amplified by the ___________________. A tubular shaped cochlea
which contains receptors will then convert the sound vibrations into sound impulses
which are then sent to the brain through the _____________________ nerve.

Learning Objective: 1.5 Understanding the sense of hearing.

Answer Scheme

1.

Label the structure of the human ear using the words given below.
Ear lope

Auditory nerve

Cochlea
a) Auditory nerve

Ossicles

b) Ear lope

c) Cochlea

Eustachian tube
2.

Identify the parts of the ear with the correct functions using the words given below to
explain the functions of the different parts of the ear.
Eustachian tube

Auditory nerves

Part of Ear

3.

Eardrum

Ear canal

Function

Ear pinna

Collects and channel sound wave into the ear canal.

Ear canal

Directs sound wave to the eardrum.

Eardrum

Vibrates with the same frequency of the sound.

Oscicles

Amplifies sound vibrations passed by the eardrum.

Cochlea

Detect and converts sound wave into impulses.

Auditory nerves

Send impulses to the brain.

Eustachian tube

Equalises the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

Complete the statement below to describe how we hear using the words given.
sound

ossicles

auditory

The ear detects stimulus in the form of sound wave when it hits the eardrum and is
amplified by the ossicles. A tubular shaped cochlea which contains receptors will
then convert the sound vibrations into sound impulses which are then sent to the
brain through the auditory nerve.

Learning Objective: 1.6 Understanding the sense of sight.

Learning Outcomes:
Identify the structure of the human eye.
Explain the functions of the different parts of the eye.
Describe how we see.
1.

Label the diagram below to identify the structure of the human eye using the words
given.
Iris

Optic nerve

Yellow spot

a.
b.

c.
Eye lens

2.

Complete the table below to explain the functions of the different parts of the eye using
the words given.
Retina

Cornea

Part of eye
Pupil

Sclera

Function
Controls the intensity of light entering the eye.
A transparent layer which allows light to enter the eye.

Lens
Choroids

Refracts and focuses light to form image on the retina.

Black-pigmented layer to prevent reflection of light in the eye.
Tough outermost layer which protects and gives shape to the eyeball.
Light-sensitive layer where the image is formed in the eye.

3.

Complete the statement below to describe how we see using the words given.
retina

optic

Light that enters the eye is refracted by the cornea, aqueous humour and the eye lens to
form an image on the____________________. The sensitive cells in the retina convert
the image into impulses which is then sent to the brain through the _____________
nerve.

Learning Objective: 1.6 Understanding the sense of sight.

Answer Scheme
1.

Label the diagram below to identify the structure of the human eye using the words
given.
Iris

Optic nerve

Yellow spot

a. Iris
b. Yellow spot

c. Optic nerve
Eye lens

2.

Complete the table below to explain the functions of the different parts of the eye using
the words given.
Retina

Cornea

Part of eye
Pupil

Function
Controls the intensity of light entering the eye.

Cornea

A transparent layer which allows light to enter the eye.

Lens

Refracts and focuses light to form image on the retina.

Choroids

3.

Sclera

Black-pigmented layer to prevent reflection of light in the eye.

Sclera

Tough outermost layer which protects and gives shape to the eyeball.

Retina

Light-sensitive layer where the image is formed in the eye.

Complete the statement below to describe how we see using the words given.
retina

optic

Light that enters the eye is refracted by the cornea, aqueous humour and the eye lens to
form an image on the retina / yellow spot. The sensitive cells in the retina convert the
image into impulses which is then sent to the brain through the optic nerve.

Learning Objective: 1.7 Understanding light and sight.

Learning Outcomes:
Describe the properties of light, i.e. reflection and refraction.
State the various vision defects.

1.

The diagrams below show two properties of light.

Complete the statements below to describe the properties of light.

Diagram A

Diagram B

a. Diagram A:
When light hits the surface of and opaque object (plane mirror), light will be
_________________________.
b. Diagram B:
When light passes through a transparent object (glass block), light will be
_________________________.
2.

The diagrams below show two types of vision defects.

Underline the correct answer to identify the vision defects.
Light from near object
Diagram P

Light from distant/far object

Diagram Q
a. The vision defect in Diagram P is called (long-sighted / short-sighted) vision.

b. The vision defect in Diagram Q is called (long-sighted / short-sighted) vision.

Learning Objective: 1.7 Understanding light and sight.

Answer Scheme
1.

The diagrams below show two properties of light.

Complete the statements below to describe the properties of light.

Diagram A

Diagram B

i. Diagram A:
When light hits the surface of and opaque object (plane mirror), light will be
reflected.
ii. Diagram B:
When light passes through a transparent object (glass block), light will be
refracted.
2.

The diagrams below show two types of vision defects.

Underline the correct answer to identify the vision defects.

Light from near object

Diagram P

Light from distant/far object

Diagram Q
a. The vision defect in Diagram P is called (long-sighted / short-sighted) vision.

b. The vision defect in Diagram Q is called (long-sighted / short-sighted) vision.

Learning Objective: 1.7 Understanding light and sight.

Learning Outcome:
Explain ways to correct vision defects.

1.

a) Diagram A shows a short-sighted vision.

Image is form in front the retina

Far object
Diagram A
Draw lines in the diagram to correct this vision defect after using a concave lens.

Far object
b) Diagram B shows a long-sighted vision.
Image is form behind the retina

Near object
Diagram B
Draw lines in the diagram to correct this vision defect after using a convex lens.

Near object

Learning Objective: 1.7 Understanding light and sight.

Answer Scheme
1.

a) Diagram A shows a short-sighted vision.

Image is form in front the retina

Far object
Diagram A
Draw lines in the diagram to correct this vision defect after using a concave lens.

Far object
b) Diagram B shows a long-sighted vision.
Image is form behind the retina

Near object
Diagram B
Draw lines in the diagram to correct this vision defect after using a convex lens.

Near object

Learning Objective: 1.7 Understanding light and sight.

Learning Outcomes:
State and give examples of the limitations of sight.
Connect stereoscopic and monocular visions with the survival of animals.
Identify the appropriate devices to overcome limitations of sight.
1.

The diagrams below show an example of the limitation of sight.

X

Name this type of the limitation of sight: _________________________________

2.

The diagrams below show the field of vision of a deer and a cat.

Monocular vision

Stereoscopic vision

Underline the correct answer below to connect stereoscopic and monocular visions
with the survival of animals.
a. A deer have a (wider / narrow) field of vision to detect predators.
b. A cat can detect prey accurately because the vision of its right and left eyes
overlap to create a (monocular / stereoscopic) vision.
3.

Draw lines to match the following devices with its correct uses to overcome the
limitation of sight.

a)
A microscope is used to observe tiny and
minute objects like micro organisms and cells.
b)
A telescope is used to observe very far and
distant object like the moon.
c)
A magnifying glass is used to observe very
small objects like small insects or small
letters/numbers

Learning Objective: 1.7 Understanding light and sight.

Answer Scheme
1.

The diagrams below show an example of the limitation of sight.

X

Name this type of the limitation of sight: Optical illusion

2.

The diagrams below show the field of vision of a deer and a cat.

Monocular vision

Stereoscopic vision

Underline the correct answer below to connect stereoscopic and monocular visions
with the survival of animals.
a. A deer have a (wider / narrow) field of vision to detect predators.
b. A cat can detect prey accurately because the vision of its right and left eyes
overlap to create a (monocular / stereoscopic) vision.
3.

Draw lines to match the following devices with its correct uses to overcome the
limitation of sight.

A microscope is used to observe tiny and

minute objects like micro organisms and cells.

A telescope is used to observe very far and

distant object like the moon.

A magnifying glass is used to observe very

small objects like small insects or small
letters/numbers

Learning Objective: 1.8 Understanding sound and hearing

Learning Outcomes:
Describe the properties of sound.
Explain the reflection and absorption of sound.
1.

The diagrams below show three activities to identify the properties of sound.

Rubber band

Diagram A

Ring

rin
g

Diagram B

No sound is heard

(Air is suck out from

the bell jar)

Diagram C

Draw lines to match the following properties of sound with the correct activity based
on the diagrams above.

2.

a) Sound cannot travel through a vacuum

Diagram A

b) Sound is produce when an object vibrates

Diagram B

c) Sound wave travels in all directions

Diagram C

The diagram below shows and activity to explain reflection and absorption of sound.
Surface of an object

Underline the correct answer in the statements below to explain reflection and
absorption of sound.
a) The surface of a (hard / soft) object will reflect sound better.
b) The surface of a (hard / soft) object will absorb sound better.

Learning Objective: 1.8 Understanding sound and hearing

Answer Scheme

1.

The diagrams below show three activities to identify the properties of sound.

Rubber band

Diagram A

Ring

rin
g

Diagram B

No sound is heard

(Air is suck out from

the bell jar)

Diagram C

Draw lines to match the following properties of sound with the correct activity based
on the diagrams above.

2.

a) Sound cannot travel through a vacuum

Diagram A

b) Sound is produce when an object vibrates

Diagram B

c) Sound wave travels in all directions

Diagram C

The diagram below shows and activity to explain reflection and absorption of sound.
Surface of an object

Underline the correct answer in the statements below to explain reflection and
absorption of sound.
a) The surface of a (hard / soft) object will reflect sound better.
b) The surface of a (hard / soft) object will absorb sound better.

Learning Objective: 1.8 Understanding sound and hearing

Learning Outcomes:
Explain the defects of hearing.
Explain ways of rectifying the defects of hearing.
State the limitations of hearing.
State the devices used to overcome the limitations of hearing.
Explain stereophonic hearing.
1.

Tick (/) which is the common causes of hearing defect from the list below.
a) Too much ear wax blocking the ear canal
b) Infection of the ear
c) Listening to loud music or sound
d) Injury to the head
e) Birth defects

2.

Tick (/) the correct device that can rectify the defects of hearing.

3.

The human ear is limited to detect sounds to a certain range in frequencies.

Complete the statement below to state the limitation of hearing of a human ear.
The human ear can only detect sound of frequencies between 20 Hz to a maximum
of ________________ Hz.

4.

Tick (/) the correct device that is used to overcome the limitations of hearing.

5.

The diagram below shows an activity to test for stereophonic hearing.

Stereophonic Hearing
Complete the statement below to explain stereophonic hearing.
Stereophonic hearing is the ability to determine the source and the direction of
______________ accurately using both ears.

Learning Objective: 1.8 Understanding sound and hearing

Answer Scheme
1.

2.

Tick (/) which is the common causes of hearing defect from the list below.
a) Too much ear wax blocking the ear canal

b) Infection of the ear

c) Listening to loud music or sound

d) Injury to the head

e) Birth defects

Tick (/) the correct device that can rectify the defects of hearing.

3.

The human ear is limited to detect sounds to a certain range in frequencies.

Complete the statement below to state the limitation of hearing of a human ear.
The human ear can only detect sound of frequencies between 20 Hz to a maximum
of 20 000 Hz.

4.

Tick (/) the correct device that is used to overcome the limitations of hearing.

5.

The diagram below shows an activity to test for stereophonic hearing.

Stereophonic Hearing
Complete the statement below to explain stereophonic hearing.
Stereophonic hearing is the ability to determine the source and the direction of
sound accurately using both ears.

Learning Objective: 1.9 Understanding the stimuli and responses in plants.

Learning Outcomes:
State the stimuli that cause response in plants.
Identify the parts of plants sensitive to specific stimulus.
Relate the response in plants to their survival.
1.

Underline the correct answer in the statements below to state the stimuli that causes
this type of response in plants.

a) Phototropism is the movement or growth of plants in response to (light / water).

b) Geotropism is the movement of growth of plants in response to (gravity / light).
c) Hydrotropism is the movement or growth of plants in response to (water / gravity).
2.

The diagram below shows parts of a plant A, B and C.

Which part of the plant A, B and C in the diagram above is sensitive to the specific
stimulus below.
a. This part of the plant is able to respond to light
: ___________________

3.

b. This part of the plant is able to respond to gravity

: ___________________

c. This part of the plant is able to respond to water

: ___________________

The diagram below shows the response of a Venus fly trap to obtain nutrients by
trapping insects.

Rearrange the words below to identify this type of response in certain plants.

Learning Objective: 1.9 Understanding the stimuli and responses in plants.

Answer Scheme

1.

Underline the correct answer in the statements below to state the stimuli that causes
this type of response in plants.

a) Phototropism is the movement or growth of plants in response to (light / water).

b) Geotropism is the movement of growth of plants in response to (gravity / light).
c) Hydrotropism is the movement or growth of plants in response to (water / gravity).
2.

The diagram below shows parts of a plant A, B and C.

Which part of the plant A, B and C in the diagram above is sensitive to the specific
stimulus below.
a. This part of the plant is able to respond to light
:
A

3.

b. This part of the plant is able to respond to gravity

c. This part of the plant is able to respond to water

The diagram below shows the response of a Venus fly trap to obtain nutrients by
trapping insects.

Rearrange the words below to identify this type of response in certain plants.