Biology / Unit 12 Bio 2871 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Sensory Transduction
Captions available
The idea
Sensory transduction is the conversion of a stimulus into an electrical receptor potential, which can trigger an action potential, per Bio 2823, if it reaches threshold.
In practice
A mechanoreceptor's gated ion channels open when pressure bends its membrane, converting mechanical force into an electrical signal.
Where people slip
A receptor potential is graded, scaling with stimulus strength, unlike the all-or-nothing action potential it can trigger.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it · Sources for Biology