Biology / Unit 12 Bio 2881 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Two-Point Discrimination and Receptor Density
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The idea
A two-point discrimination test estimates mechanoreceptor density by finding the closest spacing at which two simultaneous touches are felt as separate rather than one.
In practice
Fingertips distinguish two points spaced much closer together than the back can, reflecting denser receptor coverage.
Where people slip
Feeling one point where two touched means both fell within a single receptor's receptive field, not that only one receptor exists there.
Your place on the trail
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