General Sense Receptors

transduction

when a cell converts a specific type of stimulus into an action potential

exteroceptors

gives us the feelings that we usually call the sense of touch (or somatic sensation)

interoceptors

-embedded in our visceral organs

-allow us to sense the conditions of our organs 

-we have little perception of this visceral sensory info -  that is, we don’t feel it

proprioceptors

-found in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints

-allows us to identify the position of, and forces being applied to our joints and muscles

mechanoreceptors

communicate pressure/tension

thermoreceptors

communicate changes in temp.

nociceptors

communicate both strong stimuli and cell damage as pain

unencapsulated receptors

receptors with exposed neuron dendrites or epithelial cells

encapsulated receptors

receptors with a connective tissue covering