MICHAEL TIMSON

BIOLOGY LAB
TITLE: TOUCH RECEPTORS OF THE SKIN
AIM: To investigate whether the skin of the back of the hand, the palm or the back of the neck
contains the most touch receptors.
INTRODUCTION: Animals and plants react to changes in the environment. These changes are
known as a stimulus. A stimulus can be light, temperature or even chemicals in the air. As a
result of these stimuli a response is brought about by the organism and is known as the change in
the organism. Receptors receive stimuli from the environment and responses are brought about
by effectors. Sensory neurons conduct impulses from receptors in the central nervous system.
Motor neurons conduct impulses from the central nervous system to the effectors. Sensory
neurones and motor neurones are linked together by the intermediate neurone or relay neurone
and are found in the central nervous system. The skin is the largest organ in the body and
contains nerve ending as sensory cells which are scattered throughout the skin. These nerve
ending are sensitive to pain, touch cold, light pressure and heave pressure. These nerve ending
sends impulses to the brain so that it can detect what has been touched and from the brain
impulses are sent through the motor neuron to the effector to bring about an appropriate
response.

APPARATUS
Toothpicks
Ruler
Tape

Michael Timson
Biology Lab

METHOD
1. Two pins were attached to a ruler 2 cm away from each other.
2. A table was then drawn up and used to tabulate the results
3. Another person was touch gently with one or two toothpicks on the back of the hand.
4. The person was then asked how many toothpicks they think were touching them. A tick
() was used represent if they were right and a cross (X) was used to represent if they
were wrong.
5. A step 4 was repeated 9 more times.
6. The pins were then adjusted to be 1 cm apart and steps 3 and 4 were repeated.
7. The pins were then adjusted to be 0.5 cm apart and steps 3 and 4 were repeated.
8. The pins were then adjusted to be 0.2 cm apart and steps 3 and 4 were repeated.

RESULTS:
TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CORRECT AND WRONG ANSWERS FOR THE
BACK OF THE HAND, PALM AND NECK FOR THE VARIOUS LENGTHS BETWEEN
THE TOOTHPICKS
Length/c

Body

m
2

Back

Palm

10

Neck

10

Back

Palm

Neck

Back

Palm

Neck

Back

Palm

Neck

0.5

0.2

Response

Michael Timson
Biology Lab

Number Correct

DISCUSSION: Based on the results obtained, a histogram was constructed to graphically

represent the results obtained. From the histogram, a comparison of the results obtained for the
three different body parts can be obtained and analyse and further be used to see which of the
three body parts are more sensitive based on this experiment. The most sensitive part of the body
was the palm of the hands. As seen in the result the palm had a total of 10 correct when the
toothpicks were 2 cm apart, 5 when the toothpicks were 1 cm. apart, 7 when the distance
between the 2 toothpicks were 0.5 cm and 6 when the distance were 0.2cm. The palm of the hand
had a complete total of 28 out of the 40 touches for all the various lengths. It is important for the
palm of the hand to be sensitive. It detects pain and thus protects the body. The palm of the hand
can detect if something is too hot or too cold causing a stimulus and as a result, a response or
reflex action of quickly pulling away. If the palm was unreliable of picking up on these stimuli,
the body would now be unable to distinguish between hot and cold and thus making it easier and
more vulnerable to burns. Although the palm of the hand was the most sensitive of the three body
parts, it is important to have touch receptors in the skin all over the body. Not every time, the
palm of the hand may pick up a stimulus. In such an instants, it is important to have receptors all
the body to be fully aware of your surrounding and to insure that not only the hands can
withstand the conditions, but also, the other parts of the body.
SOURCES OF ERROR:
1. As the distance between the pins decreased, it was harder to properly place one pin on the
back of the hand, palm and the neck.
2. Distractions causing less forces on the stimuli.
CONCLUSION: Within the limits of experimental errors, the palm of the hands was found to be
the most sensitive of the three parts of the body.

Michael Timson
Biology Lab