CH 12: Sensory Mechanism

Question 1

Types of Sensory Receptors

Answer 1

Mechanoreceptors:
Respond to mechanical energy; e.g., touch, vibration
Thermoreceptors:
Respond to thermal energy ( e.g., heat or cold)
Pain receptors:
Respond to tissue damage
Chemoreceptors:
Respond to presence of some chemicals
Photoreceptors:
Respond to visible light

Question 2

What is a receptor?

Answer 2

A structure that detects a stimulus and converts its energy into another form

Question 3

How are sensory impulses sent?

Answer 3

By sensory neurons from sensory receptors that have detected stimuli in body tissues;

Question 4

2 things about stornger stimuli

Answer 4

1. Activate more receptors and
2. Trigger more impulses on sensory neurons

Question 5

How does Sensory adaptation occur?

Answer 5

Occurs when sensory neurons stop sending impulses even though the stimulus is still present;

ex) awareness of an odor fades over time

Question 6

Receptors that do and don’t adapt

Answer 6

Receptors that adapt include:
Soft touch, pressure, and smell receptors

Receptors that do not adapt include:
Pain, joint, and muscle monitoring receptors

Question 7

Surface Thermoreceptors:

Answer 7

Near skin surface provide information about external environment;
Surface receptors adapt quickly

Question 8

Deep Thermoreceptors

Answer 8

In thoracic and abdominal organs, monitor core temperature;
Core receptors do not adapt quickly

Question 9

Pain receptors

Answer 9

nerve endings (surface or deep) that respond to tissue damage/ injury from:
Excessive pressure
Heat
Light or chemicals