Sensory receptors
Sensory Receptors
Sensory receptors (pronunciation: /ˈsɛnsəri rɪˈsɛptərs/) are specialized cells or cell structures that respond to specific types of sensory stimuli. They are the means by which organisms perceive and respond to changes in their environment.
Etymology
The term "sensory receptor" is derived from the Latin words "sensus" meaning "feeling" and "receptor" meaning "receiver".
Types of Sensory Receptors
There are several types of sensory receptors, each designed to respond to a specific type of stimulus. These include:
- Mechanoreceptors: These receptors respond to mechanical pressure or distortion. They are found in various places, such as the skin and the inner ear.
- Thermoreceptors: These receptors respond to changes in temperature. They are found in the skin and other parts of the body.
- Nociceptors: These receptors respond to pain or potentially damaging stimuli. They are found throughout the body.
- Photoreceptors: These receptors respond to light and are found in the eyes.
- Chemoreceptors: These receptors respond to chemical changes in the body. They are found in various places, including the nose and taste buds.
Function
Sensory receptors function by converting a specific type of stimulus into an electrical signal that can be interpreted by the nervous system. This process is known as transduction. The signal is then sent to the brain, where it is processed and interpreted.
Related Terms
- Sensory System: The part of the nervous system responsible for processing sensory information.
- Stimulus (physiology): A change in the environment that is detected by a sensory receptor.
- Perception: The process by which the brain interprets sensory information.
- Signal Transduction: The process by which a signal is converted from one form to another.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sensory receptors
- Wikipedia's article - Sensory receptors
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski