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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