Vastaanottajasolut

Vastaanottajasolut, known in English as receptor cells, are specialized cells in an organism that receive stimuli. These stimuli can be external, such as light, sound, or chemicals, or internal, such as changes in blood pressure or hormone levels. Receptor cells are the first step in sensory transduction, the process by which a stimulus is converted into an electrical or chemical signal that the nervous system can interpret.

Different types of receptor cells are specialized for detecting different kinds of stimuli. Photoreceptor cells in the eye detect light, allowing for vision. Hair cells in the inner ear detect vibrations, enabling hearing and balance. Olfactory receptor cells in the nose detect airborne chemicals, responsible for smell. Gustatory receptor cells on the tongue detect dissolved chemicals, responsible for taste. Mechanoreceptor cells in the skin detect pressure, touch, and vibration. Thermoreceptor cells detect temperature changes, and nociceptors detect painful stimuli.

When a receptor cell is stimulated, it undergoes a change in its membrane potential. This change, if large enough, can trigger a nerve impulse that is transmitted to the central nervous system. The nervous system then processes this information, leading to a perception or a response. The sensitivity and specificity of receptor cells are crucial for an organism's ability to interact with and navigate its environment. Damage to or malfunction of receptor cells can lead to sensory deficits, such as blindness, deafness, or loss of smell or taste.