Receptors

Question 1

What are sensory receptors?

Answer 1

specialised cells in the nervous system that detect physical stimuli and convert them into electrical signals (the generator potential)

Question 2

features of specialised cells

Answer 2

specific to one type of stimulus because they have specialised structures that are specific to one type of physical property

Question 3

What does the Pacinian corpuscle detect?

Answer 3

changes in pressure

in the skin.

Question 4

How does the Pacinian corpuscle detect this change?

Answer 4

1. Increases in pressure cause deformation of
   the concentric rings of the Pacinian corpuscle,
   opening stretch-mediated sodium channels in
   the membrane.
2. Sodium ions enter the sensory neuron, causing a
   generator potential which can trigger an action potential