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Investigating Somatic Senses Below are two investigations designed to help you understand the distribution of cutaneous receptors and cutaneous receptor adaptation. For the two-point discrimination test you need either two sharp pencils or two sharp round toothpicks or two similarly sharp-pointed tools and a calibrated rule (ruler). To complete the adaptation test you need between 6 to 8 nickel (preferred) or quarter coins and a timing device which measures in second intervals. To do both investigations you need a willing person (the subject) to test. The person you select does not need to understand the testing process, but the person will need to be patient and willing to respond to your questions. Completing both activities will require between 30 and 60 minutes. A. Investigate Two-Point Discrimination Test The density of touch (tactile) receptors varies in different areas of the body. Using your two-point testing tool, you will test the ability of the subject to tell the difference between two distinct sensations when the skin is touched simultaneously at two points. Try to be sure that each sharp point is applied at the same time and with the same force. When doing this test, the subject should not be looking at the test area. Eyes closed are fine, but some subjects may need to be blindfolded! At each test site begin with the two sharp points very close together. Touch the subject. Remove the tool and slightly increase the distance between the two sharp points and retest the subject's skin. Continue slightly increasing the distance between the two sharp points until the subject reports that two points of contact can be felt. Measure this distance. This measurement, the smallest distance at which two points of contact can be felt, is the two-point threshold. Test a single subject's two-point threshold for the face, back of hand, palm of hand, fingertips, back of neck, upper back, and ventral forearm. Results to report: 1. For each site tested, record the two-point threshold on a data sheet. 2. Which area had the smallest two-point threshold? 3. How do your results relate to the sensory homunculus which maps the location in the postcentral gyrus where sensations from each part of the body is processed. 4. What did you learn by completing this activity?

Investigating Somatic Senses

Below are two investigations designed to help you understand the distribution of cutaneous receptors and cutaneous receptor adaptation. For the two-point discrimination test you need either two sharp pencils or two sharp round toothpicks or two similarly sharp-pointed tools and a calibrated rule (ruler). To complete the adaptation test you need between 6 to 8 nickel (preferred) or quarter coins and a timing device which measures in second intervals. To do both investigations you need a willing person (the subject) to test. The person you select does not need to understand the testing process, but the person will need to be patient and willing to respond to your questions. Completing both activities will require between 30 and 60 minutes.

A. Investigate Two-Point Discrimination Test
The density of touch (tactile) receptors varies in different areas of the body. Using your two-point testing tool, you will test the ability of the subject to tell the difference between two distinct sensations when the skin is touched simultaneously at two points. Try to be sure that each sharp point is applied at the same time and with the same force. When doing this test, the subject should not be looking at the test area. Eyes closed are fine, but some subjects may need to be blindfolded! At each test site begin with the two sharp points very close together. Touch the subject. Remove the tool and slightly increase the distance between the two sharp points and retest the subject's skin. Continue slightly increasing the distance between the two sharp points until the subject reports that two points of contact can be felt. Measure this distance. This measurement, the smallest distance at which two points of contact can be felt, is the two-point threshold. Test a single subject's two-point threshold for the face, back of hand, palm of hand, fingertips, back of neck, upper back, and ventral forearm.

Results to report:
1. For each site tested, record the two-point threshold on a data sheet.
2. Which area had the smallest two-point threshold?
3. How do your results relate to the sensory homunculus which maps the location in the postcentral gyrus where sensations from each part of the body is processed.
4. What did you learn by completing this activity?

Investigating Somatic Senses

Below are two investigations designed to help you understand the distribution of cutaneous receptors and cutaneous receptor adaptation. For the two-point discrimination test you need either two sharp pencils or two sharp round toothpicks or two similarly sharp-pointed tools and a calibrated rule (ruler). To complete the adaptation test you need between 6 to 8 nickel (preferred) or quarter coins and a timing device which measures in second intervals. To do both investigations you need a willing person (the subject) to test. The person you select does not need to understand the testing process, but the person will need to be patient and willing to respond to your questions. Completing both activities will require between 30 and 60 minutes.

A. Investigate Two-Point Discrimination Test
The density of touch (tactile) receptors varies in different areas of the body. Using your two-point testing tool, you will test the ability of the subject to tell the difference between two distinct sensations when the skin is touched simultaneously at two points. Try to be sure that each sharp point is applied at the same time and with the same force. When doing this test, the subject should not be looking at the test area. Eyes closed are fine, but some subjects may need to be blindfolded! At each test site begin with the two sharp points very close together. Touch the subject. Remove the tool and slightly increase the distance between the two sharp points and retest the subject's skin. Continue slightly increasing the distance between the two sharp points until the subject reports that two points of contact can be felt. Measure this distance. This measurement, the smallest distance at which two points of contact can be felt, is the two-point threshold. Test a single subject's two-point threshold for the face, back of hand, palm of hand, fingertips, back of neck, upper back, and ventral forearm.

Results to report:
1. For each site tested, record the two-point threshold on a data sheet.
2. Which area had the smallest two-point threshold?
3. How do your results relate to the sensory homunculus which maps the location in the postcentral gyrus where sensations from each part of the body is processed.
4. What did you learn by completing this activity?

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