Osmosis video - Sensory system: Structure and function

The sensory system is responsible for detecting and processing sensory information from the environment and converting it into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The sensory system has two parts: the general sense and the special sense. The general sense has receptors that are present all over the body, whereas the receptors for the special sense are present in specialized organs. General senses include touch, pressure, position, and pain. Special senses include taste, smell, sight, hearing, and balance. Aging is accompanied by some changes to the special senses, such as a decrease in the number of smell and taste receptors, which decreases clients' appetite and puts them at risk of poor nutrition.