Your skin is full of sensory cells. When you touch something, sensory cells transmit a wealth of signals to your brain. Was the glass cold or warm? Was that a light breeze on your cheek, or a stinging slap?
There are different kinds of sensory cells, with different structures and functions. Some sensory cells register cold, heat and changes in temperature, such as free nerve endings, Krause’s corpuscles and Ruffini corpuscles. Other sensory cells register various types of pressure, touch and vibration, e.g. free nerve endings, Meissner’s corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, Krause’s corpuscles, Merkel corpuscles and Ruffini corpuscles.
The various sensory cells are especially found in the middle layer of the skin, in what is called the dermis. In the uppermost layer of skin – the epidermis – free nerve endings and other sensory cells ensure a rapid response to pain.
Check out the skin model to see what the different types of sensory cells look like.
How unique are you? Check nine of your genetically determined features in the mirrors. The computer will show how unique you are compared with other visitors to the exhibition.
Experimentarium - Tuborg Havnevej 7 - 2900 Hellerup - Tel. 39 27 33 33 - Fax. 39 27 33 95 - info@experimentarium.dk
