pacinian corpuscles

receptors

respond to different stimuli and allow us to respond to changes in external and internal environments

where is light pressure detected

closer to the skin

where is harder pressure detected

further down

pacinian corpuscles

receptors that detect pressure and are found in the skin

structure of pacinian corpuscles

layers of membrane around the axon on the sensory neurone

how do pacinian corpuscles work? [1]

excess of Na+ outside axon

how do pacinian corpuscles work? [2]

pressure on the pacinian corpuscles increases and layers around axon become distorted

how do pacinian corpuscles work? [3]

stretch mediated sodium channels in membrane of axon open

how do pacinian corpuscles work? [4]

this allows Na+ ions to move into axon by facilitated diffusion

how do pacinian corpuscles work? [5]

this changes the electrical potential difference across the axon membrane and the axon is more positively charged

how do pacinian corpuscles work? [6]

this triggers a nerve impulse along axon to CNS

how do pacinian corpuscles work? [7]

this is called generator potential as the change in electrical potential is when the receptor is stimulated