Receptors

Question 1

Define receptors

Answer 1

• Detects changes in body’s internal or external environment.
• Can be grouped to make up a sense organ or spread through parts of body.

Question 2

Thermoreceptors

Answer 2

Detects temperature.

• Skin thermoreceptors detect external temperature and send information to hypothalamus and cerebrum.
• Separate regions of skin that detect hot and cold.
• Thermoreceptors in hypothalamus detect internal temperature.
• Hypothalamus can regulate body temperature through info it collects.

Question 3

Osmoreceptors

Answer 3

Detect osmotic pressure.

• Located in hypothalamus, which can stimulate posterior pituitary to release ADH to regulate osmotic pressure.

Question 4

Chemoreceptors

Answer 4

Detect chemicals.

• Located in nose and mouth that detect smell and taste.
• Located internally to detect composition of body fluids, such as pH, O2 and CO2 levels.
• Messages are sent to respiratory centre to regulate breathing rate.

Question 5

Touch receptors

Answer 5

Detect touch.

• Mainly located in skin.
• Different types - some detect light touches; others detect harder pressure.

Question 6

Pain receptors

Answer 6

Detect pain.

• Located mainly in skin and mucous membranes, found in some organs.
• Stimulated by damage to tissues, poor blood flow or excessive heat or chemicals.