Human Receptors and Nervous System: An Overview
Classified in Biology
Written at on 
English with a size of 2.78 KB.
Human Receptors and Nervous System
Receptors: Structures that human beings use to detect stimuli.
Interoceptors
Collect information about the body’s internal conditions. Located in the internal environment.
Exteroceptors
Provide information from the body’s outside environment. Located on the surface of the body.
Proprioceptors
Inform about the relative position and condition of each of the body’s muscles. Found in the inner ear’s vestibule and locomotive system.
Eyes/Sight
Detect light stimuli. Photoreceptors
Ears/Hearing
Detect sound waves (Mechanoreceptors) and proprioception.
Nose/Smell
Detect substances dissolved in the air. Chemoreceptors
Mouth/Taste
Detects substances dissolved in liquids found in the oral cavity. Chemoreceptors
Skin/Touch
Detects stimuli through physical contact. Mechanoreceptors
Nervous System
Processes the information detected by the receptors, produces a response, and coordinates the effectors which carry out the response.
Brain
The main center of the central nervous system, connected to the spinal cord. It has three parts:
Cerebrum
Interprets information from the senses and controls voluntary muscle movement.
Cerebellum
Organ that coordinates muscle actions.
Brainstem
Organ that controls the body’s involuntary actions.
Spinal Cord
Protected by the vertebral column. Connects motor and sensory nerves to the brain.
Peripheral Nervous System
Network of sensory nerves that transmit information from the receptors to the CNS and from the CNS to effectors.
Somatic Nervous System
Group of nerves that innervates skeletal muscle.
Autonomic Nervous System
Group of nerves that innervates smooth muscle and controls involuntary processes.
Nerve Impulse
Electrical signal through which information travels through the nervous system, transmitted between neurons.
Neurons
Cells specialized in producing and transmitting electrical nerve impulses.
- Soma: Contains the nucleus (neuron's body).
- Axons: Carry outgoing impulses (longest extension).
- Dendrites: Carry incoming nerve impulses (short extensions).
- Synapses: Connect the axon of one neuron with another (gap junctions).
Types of Neurons:
- Sensory: Detects external stimuli.
- Relay: Linked to other neurons, creating networks. Take part in producing responses.
- Motor: Send responses from the CNS to the effectors.