Download Sense Receptors - Liberty Union High School District

Sense Receptors
Receptor: a simple nerve ending
Sense organ: a nerve ending that is
connected to tissue to limit or enhance a
response
Sensory transduction: process of
converting stimulus to nerve energy
Sense Receptors
Modality: Type of stimulus, all action
potentials are the same, but the brain
processes them differently based on
neuron fiber that carries them
Location: two types
1. Receptive field: the area that a single
neuron is responsible for stimulus
transduction. Different areas of body are
more sensitive then others
Sense Receptors
2. Sensory Projection: to identify site of
stimulation
Intensity: based on # and kinds of
neurons and time intervals of actions
potentials
Sense Receptors
Duration: two types
1. Phasic receptors: generate large burst of
AP’s at first, then sharply reduce or
adapt, even if stimulus continues (smell,
hair)
2. Tonic receptors: adapt slowly, generate
impulses more steadily, (muscle tension,
joint motions)
Types of Receptors
1.
2.
3.
4.
Modality:
Chemoreceptors: respond to odors,
tastes and body fluid composition
Themoreceptors: respond to heat and
cold
Nociceptors: pain receptors, trauma,
ischemia, heat and chemicals
Mechanoreceptors: Touch, pressure,
stretch, tension
Types of Receptors
5. Photoreceptors: respond to light
Origins of stimuli
1. Interoceptors: from internal areas of body
2. Proprioceptors: position and movements
3. Exteroceptors: external to body
Types of Receptors
Receptors in the body
1. General senses: skin, touch, internal,
pain, stretch, etc
2. Special senses: limited to the head,
vision, hearing, balance, taste, smell