Sensory Receptors and Effectors

Flashcards covering the types of sensory receptors, their specific functions, and the role of effectors like muscles and glands in homeostasis.

Sensory Receptors

Fundamental to homeostasis, these are detectors that identify stimuli from the external environment, other parts of the organism, or within the cell.

Physical Stimuli

Signals coming from the environment such as light, heat, or pressure.

Chemical Stimuli

Signals consisting of substances such as hormones or neurotransmitters.

Chemoreceptor

A detector that detects a chemical stimulus such as $O_2$ concentration and $pH$.

Mechanoreceptor

A detector that detects a physical stimulus such as touch or sound.

Photoreceptor

A detector that detects light.

Thermoreceptor

A detector that detects changes in temperature.

Nociceptor

A detector that detects only intense (painful) chemical, mechanical, or thermal stimulation.

Exteroceptors

Receptors that receive signals from the external environment and convert them into chemical or electrical signals relayed within the body.

Interoceptors

Receptors that receive signals from within the body’s internal environment.

Effectors

Organized into muscles and glands, these carry out responses to counteract disturbances and maintain optimum conditions.

Muscles

Effectors that contract in response to neural stimulation; they are constructed from muscle fibers containing overlapping filaments of myosin and actin.

Myosin and Actin

Two molecules that shuffle along each other in muscle fibers when activated by a signal from a motor neuron.

Glands

Organs that secrete chemicals or proteins in response to neural or chemical stimulation.

Endocrine Glands

Glands that secrete chemicals or proteins within the body.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that secrete substances onto an external surface within the body that is open to the external environment.

Insulin

A chemical produced by the pancreas in response to high glucose levels (chemical stimulation).

Adrenaline

A substance released by adrenal glands in response to neural signals.

Saliva

A substance produced in response to both neural stimulation (the thought of food) and chemical stimulation (the taste of food).