What are the peripheral nerve endings of sensory nerves that respond to stimuli called?

What are the peripheral nerve endings of sensory nerves that respond to stimuli called?

• A. Glands
• B. Synapses
• C. Receptors
• D. Organs

Answer: (C)

Receptors are the sites at the ends of sensory neurons that detect changes in the environment. When a stimulus such as touch, temperature, or chemical change is present, these endings respond and generate a receptor potential, starting nerve impulses that travel to the brain. This detection and transduction at the nerve endings is what enables perception of sensory information. Glands secrete, synapses are communication junctions between neurons, and organs are body structures; none of these describe the initial detection at the peripheral nerve endings.

Receptors are the sites at the ends of sensory neurons that detect changes in the environment. When a stimulus such as touch, temperature, or chemical change is present, these endings respond and generate a receptor potential, starting nerve impulses that travel to the brain. This detection and transduction at the nerve endings is what enables perception of sensory information. Glands secrete, synapses are communication junctions between neurons, and organs are body structures; none of these describe the initial detection at the peripheral nerve endings.