Sensory (afferent) neurons
Sensory receptors detect changes in the environment known as stimuli. These receptors are specialized cells that send signals to the brain or spinal cord in response to specific types of stimuli such as light, sound, pressure, or chemical signals.
The change in an organism's environment that triggers a response is known as a stimulus. Stimuli can be internal, such as hunger or fatigue, or external, such as temperature changes, light, or the presence of predators. Organisms detect these stimuli through their sensory systems, leading to various responses that help them adapt or survive in their environment. This process is fundamental to an organism's ability to interact with and navigate its surroundings.
Nerve tissue is supported by specialized cells known as glial cells or neuroglia. These cells provide structural support, insulation, and protection for the neurons in the nervous system. They also play a role in regulating the extracellular environment of neurons.
Afferent Neurons
The loss of responsiveness to stimuli that convey little or no information is known as habituation. This process allows organisms to filter out repetitive or non-relevant stimuli in order to focus on more important information in their environment.
Sensory receptors detect changes in the environment known as stimuli. These receptors are specialized cells that send signals to the brain or spinal cord in response to specific types of stimuli such as light, sound, pressure, or chemical signals.
The change in an organism's environment that triggers a response is known as a stimulus. Stimuli can be internal, such as hunger or fatigue, or external, such as temperature changes, light, or the presence of predators. Organisms detect these stimuli through their sensory systems, leading to various responses that help them adapt or survive in their environment. This process is fundamental to an organism's ability to interact with and navigate its surroundings.
An involuntary reaction to external stimuli is known as a reflex. This automatic response occurs without conscious thought, enabling the body to react swiftly to potential threats or changes in the environment. Reflexes are mediated by neural pathways called reflex arcs, which typically involve sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. Common examples include the knee-jerk reaction and withdrawal from a hot surface.
This tendency is known as sensory adaptation. It occurs when the brain filters out repetitive or constant stimuli to focus on new or changing information. This allows us to detect important changes in our environment rather than being overwhelmed by unchanging stimuli.
This ability is known as Weber's Law, which states that the smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected is proportional to the magnitude of the original stimulus. The law suggests that the ability to detect changes in stimuli depends on the intensity or strength of the original stimulus.
Nerve tissue is supported by specialized cells known as glial cells or neuroglia. These cells provide structural support, insulation, and protection for the neurons in the nervous system. They also play a role in regulating the extracellular environment of neurons.
Afferent Neurons
Afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, carry impulses from sense organs to the spinal cord or brain. They are responsible for transmitting sensory information, such as touch, pain, temperature, and other stimuli, allowing the central nervous system to process and respond to these inputs.
Sensory neurons, also known as afferent neurons, carry information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system (CNS). These neurons transmit information about external stimuli (such as touch, sound, and light) or internal conditions (such as pain or temperature) to the brain and spinal cord.
The loss of responsiveness to stimuli that convey little or no information is known as habituation. This process allows organisms to filter out repetitive or non-relevant stimuli in order to focus on more important information in their environment.
The difference threshold, also known as the just noticeable difference, is the smallest change in a stimulus that can be detected by an observer. It is a measure of the sensitivity of a human's sensory system to changes in stimuli.
Sensory neurons