Sensory receptor

In a sensory system, a sensory receptor is a structure that recognizes a stimuli in the internal or external environment of an organism. In response to stimuli the sensory receptor initiates sensory transduction by creating graded potentials or action potentials in the same cell or in an adjacent one.

Location

The sensory receptor may be a specialized portion of the plasma membrane, or a separate cell associated with a neuron ending.

Functions

Some sensory receptors (ie. taste, and smell) contain receptors that bind to specific chemicals.

The sensory receptor functions as the first component in a sensory system.

Sensory receptors respond to specific stimulus modalities. The stimus modality to which a sensory receptor responds is determined by the sensory receptor's adequate stimulus.

The sensory receptor responds to its stimulus modality by initiating sensory transduction.

Classification by adequate stimulus

The sensory receptor's adequate stimulus is the stimulus modality to which a sensory receptor responds to by initiating sensory transduction. Adequate stimulus can be used to classify sensory receptors.

Classification by location

Sensory receptors can be classified by location:

• cutaneous receptors are sensory receprors found in the dermis or epidermis.