Physiology 2130 Lecture 7: Module 7 – Sensory System
28 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Transduction of environmental information: the conversion of environmental signals into action potentials. Environmental stimuli: light, heat, touch, sound (all energy) must be detected by sensory receptors which convert the information into action potentials. Mechanical stimuli: stretch sensory receptors, resulting in depolarization of the sensory neuron, producing an action potential. Chemical stimuli: binding of a chemical to a chemical receptor will cause depolarization, resulting in an action potential. Electromagnetic stimuli: light energy is absorbed by photoreceptors (rods and cones) in the retina and eventually produce action potentials. Other stimuli: gravity and motion are detected by hair cells in the vestibular system, which convert this stimulus into action potentials. Adequate stimulus: the particular form of environmental stimulus to which the sensory receptor is most receptive: ex. The adequate stimulus for rods and cones is light, but they will also respond to pressure (inadequate stimulus: ex.
