Sensory Receptors and Perception

These flashcards cover key concepts related to sensory receptors, their functions, and perceptions in the human body.

Exteroceptors

Receptors that detect external stimuli such as light, sound, temperature, and pressure.

Interoceptors

Receptors that detect internal stimuli such as blood pressure, pH, and oxygen levels.

Stimulus

Any detectable change in the environment.

Sensation

The raw signal reaching the brain.

Perception

The brain's interpretation and conscious awareness of a sensation.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to touch, pressure, vibration, stretch, and motion.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to temperature changes.

Photoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect light.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to chemicals such as those in taste and smell.

Nociceptors

Pain receptors that respond to injury, heat, pressure, or chemical damage.

Sensory adaptation

The process where receptors reduce their response to a constant stimulus.

General senses

Senses distributed throughout the body, including pain, pressure, and proprioception.

Special senses

Senses located in specialized organs, such as vision, hearing, balance, smell, and taste.

Proprioceptors

Receptors that detect stretch and position of muscles and joints.

Blind spot

An area of the retina with no photoreceptors.

Rods

Photoreceptors that provide black-and-white vision and function in low light.

Cones

Photoreceptors that enable color vision and function in bright light.

20/20 vision

The ability to see at 20 feet what a person with normal vision can see at that distance.

Pinna

The outer ear structure that captures sound.

Cochlea

The structure in the inner ear that converts vibrations into nerve signals.

Semicircular canals

Structures in the inner ear responsible for rotational equilibrium.

Taste cells

Cells located in taste buds that have receptors for chemicals.

Olfactory receptor neurons

Neurons that bind odor molecules and send signals to the olfactory bulb.