Senses and Sensory Processes

Vocabulary flashcards related to the senses and sensory processes.

Sensation

Conscious or subconscious detection of stimuli.

Perception

Conscious awareness and interpretation of sensations.

Transduction

The conversion of a stimulus into a graded potential.

Receptor

A specialized cell or dendrite of a sensory neuron that detects stimuli.

Receptive field

The distribution area of the endings of a sensory neuron.

Adaptation

Decreased sensitivity to continuous stimulus.

Tonic receptors

Receptors that show limited adaptation and respond continuously.

Phasic receptors

Receptors that adapt rapidly and only respond to new stimuli.

Somatic sensory receptors

Receptors housed within the skin, joints, muscles, and mucous membranes that detect pressure, vibration, and pain.

Visceral sensory receptors

Receptors located in walls of viscera and blood vessels that respond to temperature, chemicals, and stretch.

Exteroceptors

Receptors that detect stimuli from the external environment.

Interoceptors

Receptors that detect stimuli from internal organs.

Proprioceptors

Receptors that detect body and limb movements.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that detect distortion of cell membranes.

Thermoreceptors

Receptors that detect temperature changes.

Photoreceptors

Receptors that detect light intensity, color, and movement.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that detect chemicals dissolved in fluid.

Nociceptors

Receptors that detect painful stimuli.

Optic disc

The point where ganglion axons exit toward the brain; also known as the blind spot.

Fovea centralis

The area of the retina with the highest proportion of cones, responsible for sharp vision.

Accommodation

The process of altering lens shape for focusing on objects at various distances.

Opsin

A type of glycoprotein involved in phototransduction; there are different types for rods and cones.

Rhodopsin

The photopigment found in rods that is responsible for vision in low light.