närvilõpmeid

Närvilõpmeid, also known as nerve endings or sensory receptors, are specialized structures found at the termination of neurons. Their primary function is to detect stimuli from the internal and external environment and convert these stimuli into electrical signals that can be transmitted along the neuron. These signals are then interpreted by the brain and spinal cord, allowing for perception and response.

There are various types of närvilõpmeid, each sensitive to specific stimuli. For example, mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical pressure or distortion, thermoreceptors detect temperature changes, nociceptors sense pain, and chemoreceptors react to chemical stimuli. Photoreceptors in the eyes detect light. These receptors are distributed throughout the body, with higher concentrations in areas requiring acute sensory perception, such as the fingertips, lips, and eyes.

Upon stimulation, a närvilõpe undergoes a process called transduction. This involves a change in its membrane potential, leading to the generation of an action potential if the stimulus is strong enough. This electrical impulse travels along the sensory neuron to the central nervous system. The complexity of the nervous system allows for the interpretation of these signals, enabling us to feel touch, taste, smell, see, hear, and experience pain and temperature. The integrity and proper functioning of närvilõpmeid are crucial for survival and interaction with the world.