How do we receive information about textures?

Question

Sorry this is a science question, and I'm stumped!

Answer 1

We use our visual and tactile senses. We learn something of texture by the way materials absorb and reflect light. Your fingertips have more nerve endings than nearly anywhere else on your body. When you touch something, you can feel more pressure on some parts of your finger than on other parts. When you slide your finger along the surface, you get additional information on the material's smoothness and adhesion. Your brain is trained to make sense of all this data.