RECEPTORS

DEFINITION

• Receptors are transducers that convert various forms of energy in the environment
into action potentials in sensory neurons

• These are the endings of afferent nerve fibers

 CLASSIFICATION
Generally, receptors are classified into two types:

A. Exteroceptors: Exteroceptors are the receptors, which give response to stimuli

arising from outside the body

B. Interoceptors: Interoceptors are the receptors, which give response to stimuli arising
from within the body
 EXTERORECEPTORS
These are of three types:

1. Cutaneous Receptors/ Mechanoreceptors- give response to mechanical stimuli such as

touch, pressure and pain

2. Chemoreceptors Receptors- give response to chemical stimuli

3. Telereceptors- give response to stimuli arising away from the body

 INTERORECEPTORS

These are of two types:

1. Visceroceptors- Receptors situated in the viscera are called visceroceptors

2. Proprioceptors- Receptors which give response to change in the position of

different parts of the body.
 PROPERTIES
• Specificity: Receptors are specific to a particular type of stimulus

• Adequate stimulus: The particular form of energy to which the receptor is most sensitive is called
adequate stimulus (adequate stimulus for rods & cones is light)

• Adaptation: When a stimulus of constant strength is applied continuously to a receptor, frequency

of action potential in the sensory nerve decreases

• Acuity: The precision of stimulus localization is called acuity

• Intensity: When a stimulus is applied, receptors discharge depending on the strength of stimulus