Sensory Neurons and Receptors Quiz

Sensory Neurons

• Sensory neurons transmit information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system (CNS).
• Sensory receptors detect stimuli such as light, sound, touch, temperature, and pain.
• Sensory neurons convert sensory stimuli into electrical signals the CNS can process.
• These electrical signals travel along the axon of the sensory neuron to the CNS.
• Sensory neurons are often unipolar or bipolar, with cell bodies outside the CNS in sensory ganglia.
• Various types of sensory receptors exist, each specialized for detecting a specific stimulus.

Receptors

• Receptors are specialized cells detecting specific stimuli in the environment.
• They initiate the sensory pathway, converting energy (light, sound, touch) into electrical signals.
• Different receptors respond to specific stimuli (photoreceptors for light, mechanoreceptors for touch/pressure, chemoreceptors for chemicals).
• Receptors can be specialized cells or specialized parts of neurons.
• Receptors exhibit adaptation, decreasing response to sustained stimuli over time.

Central Nervous System

• The central nervous system (CNS) comprises the brain and spinal cord.
• The CNS receives sensory information from sensory neurons.
• The CNS processes this information, integrates it with other information, and generates appropriate responses.

Motor Neurons

• Motor neurons transmit signals from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands).
• Signals from the CNS travel down the motor neuron's axon to the effector.
• Motor neurons control voluntary and involuntary actions.
• Motor neurons are multipolar, with cell bodies in the CNS and axons extending to effectors.
• Motor neuron signals cause effectors to perform specific actions.

Effectors

• Effectors are muscles and glands.
• Muscles contract in response to motor neuron signals, producing movement.
• Glands secrete hormones or other substances in response to motor neuron signals.
• Effectors carry out responses dictated by the CNS after processing sensory information.
• A given effector typically only performs one type of response to a given stimulus; however, combining multiple inputs to different effectors can result in a specific body action or set of actions.