Intro to the senses Flashcards
5 special senses
vision, hearing, equilibrium, taste, and smell
4 somatic senses
touch, temperature, proprioception, nociception (pain and itch)
Receptors
cells that convert stimuli into electrical signals
what is the conversion from stimuli to electrical signals called?
transduction
what are the receptors for sensory systems?
neurons
what are the receptors for hearing
non-neuronal epithelial cells
receptor potential
this refers to the graded change in membrane potential caused by the conversion of stimulus energy
what happens after the receptor potential is triggered?
it may cause the receptor to release a neurotransmitter or if the receptor is a neuron, it may release an action potential
adequate stimulus
form of energy that the receptor is most responsive to
example of adequate stimulus
thermoreceptors are most sensitive to temperature
chemoreceptors
respond to specific molecules or ions
mechanoreceptors
respond to mechanical energy like pressure, vibration, gravity and sound
thermoreceptors
respond to temperature
photoreceptors
respond to light
receptor threshold
the weakest stimulus that illicit a response