Final answer:
Sensation is the acquisition of sensory information through sensory receptors, while perception is the brain's interpretation of these sensory inputs. Option a. Sensation; perception is the correct answer to the student's question. Option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acquisition of sensory information is known as sensation, while the interpretation of this information is referred to as perception. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: sensation is the acquisition of sensory information, while perception is the interpretation of this information, which corresponds to option a. Sensation; perception.
Sensation occurs when sensory receptors detect sensory stimuli, involving the process of reception and transduction. Reception is the activation of sensory receptors by a stimulus, and transduction is the conversion of this stimulus into a neural signal. Perception, on the other hand, involves the organization, interpretation, and conscious experience of these sensations. It is a process that takes place in the brain and relies on both bottom-up and top-down processing.
Perception allows us to make sense of our sensations by organizing and interpreting them in the context of our environment, influenced by factors such as beliefs, values, and experiences. This complex process enables us to understand and interact with the world around us.