Sensory receptors

Question 1

Describe the structure of cutaneous receptors

Question 2

Explains the mechanisms of sensory transduction in the skin

Question 3

Explain the concept of frequency coding

Question 4

Describe the structure of the muscle spindle

Question 5

Describe the function of the muscle spindle

Question 6

Describe the role of the Golgi tendon organ

Question 7

Describe the mechanism of action of the Golgi tendon organ.

Question 8

List the 3 types of sensory receptors.

Answer 8

Mechanoreceptors
Proprioceptors
Nociceptors

Question 8

Describe mechanoreceptors

Answer 8

Mechanoreceptors are stimulated by mechanical stimuli - pressure, stretch, deformation - give us skin sensations of touch and pressure

Question 9

Describe proprioceptors

Answer 9

Proprioceptors are mechanoreceptors in joints and muscles. They signal information about body or limb position.

Question 10

Describe nociceptors

Answer 10

Nociceptors respond to painful stimuli (e.g. heat and tissue damage)

Question 11

Define sensory modality.

Answer 11

The stimulus type that activates a particular receptor: e.g. touch, pressure, joint angle, pain.

Question 12

Define “an adequate stimulus”.

Answer 12

An adequate stimulus is the form of energy to which a receptor normally responds.
This causes a graded membrane potential change (receptor potential or generator potential)