Final answer:
As death approaches, an individual often experiences decreased sensory perception due to the general slowdown of bodily functions and potential damage to nerve pathways. Decreased body temperature and changes in blood chemistry can further affect sensory experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical manifestations of approaching death in relation to Sensory Systems often include decreased sensory perception. As an individual nears the end of life, their ability to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel can diminish. This decline is due to the general slowdown in bodily functions and damage to the nerve pathways that occur as part of the dying process. Specifically, if axons leading from sensory receptors to the central nervous system sustain damage, the steps of sensory perception most notably affected would be the transmission of sensory information and reception within the central nervous system, potentially leading to altered or reduced sensations.
Moreover, bodily changes such as decreased body temperature and changes in blood chemistry, like decreased pH and increased carbon dioxide, can also impact sensory perception by affecting the metabolism and functionality of the nervous system. These changes can make the sensory experiences less vivid or absent altogether, contributing to the diminished quality of life experienced by individuals approaching death.