In the nervous system, which term describes the group of receptor cells that respond to specific stimuli such as light, sound, touch, temperature and chemicals?

In the nervous system, which term describes the group of receptor cells that respond to specific stimuli such as light, sound, touch, temperature and chemicals?

• A. Sense organs
• B. Neurons
• C. Glands
• D. Muscles

Answer: (A)

Receptors grouped into sense organs detect specific stimuli. Each sense organ contains receptor cells specialized for a modality: the eye’s photoreceptors respond to light, the ear’s hair cells respond to sound, the skin’s receptors detect touch and temperature, and the nose and tongue have chemoreceptors for chemicals. These receptors convert the stimulus into electrical signals that travel to the brain for interpretation. Neurons carry those signals, glands secrete chemicals, and muscles respond to signals, but the term that describes the group of receptor cells detecting these stimuli is sense organs.

Receptors grouped into sense organs detect specific stimuli. Each sense organ contains receptor cells specialized for a modality: the eye’s photoreceptors respond to light, the ear’s hair cells respond to sound, the skin’s receptors detect touch and temperature, and the nose and tongue have chemoreceptors for chemicals. These receptors convert the stimulus into electrical signals that travel to the brain for interpretation. Neurons carry those signals, glands secrete chemicals, and muscles respond to signals, but the term that describes the group of receptor cells detecting these stimuli is sense organs.