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Sunday, 20 March 2016

What is a receptor?

A receptor is an organ or cell which can respond to light, heat, or another external factor. They transmit an electrical impulse to the sensory nerve - this kick-starts the reflex arc.  There are many different kinds of receptors, all of which are specific to one kind of stimulus, they're all given names:


Mechanoreceptors - detect mechanical stimulus like pressure/vibrations
Thermoreceptors -  detect heat
Baroreceptors - detect high/low blood pressure in the heart
Chemoreceptors - detect chemical changes in the heart, so a change in oxygen, carbon dioxide or pH level




Fun Fact:

The retina of the octopus has up to 20 million light receptors :)



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