PROPERTIES OF RECEPTORS:

1. SPECIFICITY:

A particular type of receptor responds to a specific stimulus. Each type of receptor is sensitive to a particular type of energy. Stimulus to which a receptor is sensitive is called ADEQUATE STIMULUS (for thermal receptors temp. stimulus). Receptors can respond to stimuli other than the adequate if stimulus is of high intensity (normally light is stimulus for Rods & cones, but firm pressure on eye ball perceive light halos.

SPECIFICITY (continued)

Each type of stimulus / sensation we perceive MODALITY OF SENSATION (pain sensation is one modality & thermal sensation is another). For a specific type of sensation a specific nervous pathway (for vision visual pathway) & stimulates a particular part of brain. Specific nervous pathway for each sensation LABELED LINE PRINCIPLE.

2. RECEPTOR / GENERATOR POTENTIAL:

When we apply a stimulus to receptor localized change in membrane potential localized hypo-polarization due to sodium influx RECEPTOR POTENTIAL. It resembles EPP (End plate potential) or EPSP (Excitatory post synaptic potential). When receptor potential reaches threshold action potential along sensory nerve fiber arising from the receptor.

Fig. 46.2, Guyton,

th 11

ed.

Fig. 46.3, Guyton,

th 11

ed.

RECEPTOR / GENERATOR POTENTIAL: (continued)

Amplitude of receptor potential is directly proportional to strength of stimulus. Frequency of discharge of impulses from receptor is directly proportional to amplitude of receptor potential. *Receptor potential is due to sodium influx, so when we apply different types of stimuli activation of sodium channels sodium influx (if we apply mechanical stimulus receptor membrane is stretched sodium channels are activated, if electrical / chemical stimuli sodium influx). *Frequency of discharge of impulses from receptors one of the sensory input for brain to assess intensity of stimulus.

Fig.46.4, Guyton,

th 11

ed.

3. ADAPTATION OF SENSORY RECEPTORS:

When a stimulus of CONSTANT INTENSITY is applied CONTINUOUSLY to receptor discharge of impulses from receptor decreases after sometime. (mushkilain itni pareen mujh

pay k asaan ho gaeen!)

Depending upon degree & rate of adaptation, 2 types of receptors: PHASIC & TONIC.

Fig. 46.5, Guyton,

th 11

ed.

Rate & degree of adaptation:

PHASIC RECEPTORS: Rapid adaptation. Tactile / touch receptors. Hair follicle receptors. Meissners corpuscles. Pacinian corpuscles. Krauses corpuscles.

TONIC RECEPTORS: Slow & incomplete adaptation. Pain receptors. Cold receptors. Muscle spindles. Proprioceptors. Baroreceptors.

Fig.5.3, Ganong

nd 22

ed.

Physiological significance of Rapid adaptation:

Touch receptors rapid adaptation perceive new events /stimuli. Rapid adaptation perceive change in stimulus intensity (we take bath wear clothes rapid adaptation of touch receptors dont feel their presence after sometime). (insect crawls on skin perceive the new stimulus already adapted to clothes if does not bite forget its presence 2nd insect crawls perceive new event due to RAPID ADAPTATION).

Physiological significance of Rapid adaptation: (continued)

(if sitting on a chair & bag is resting on back of chair skin is adapted to this intensity of stimulus, if chair is pushed from behind can perceive change in intensity of stimulus).

Physiological significance of Slow adaptation:

Pain is protective sensation (protective value persists due to incomplete & slow adaptation of pain receptors). As long as cause of pain is there we feel pain. Advantage: we seek the doctor in time. Baroreceptors in carotid sinus & arch of aorta adapt in 24-48 hrs. If in sec could not regulate B.P (take part in short term regulation of B.P only). Muscle spindles maintain muscle tone & posture (slowly adapting). If rapidly adapting useless.

st 1

Mechanism of Adaptation:
INDENTATION OF
MEMBRANE OF PACINIAN CORPUSCLE

PACINIAN CORPUSCLE

(INCREASED LOCALIZED PRESSURE) (UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION OF PRESSURE)

1. STRUCTURAL ADAPTATION

nd 2

Mechanism of Adaptation:

2. ACCOMMODATION: Membrane of receptor / nerve ending accommodated to stimulus due to *inactivation of sodium channels.

Continuous stimulus to the receptor continuously receptor becomes inactivated / accommodated (also the basis of fatigue).

4. MULLERS LAW OF SPECIFIC NERVE ENERGY & LAW OF LOCALIZATION & PROJECTION:

From a particular type of receptor specific nerve fibers carry impulses & stimulate specific part of brain. It means that specific nerve fibers carry impulses for a specific stimulus or sensation. If a nerve fiber for a specific sensation are stimulated at any point along the pathway sensation perceived is that for which the pathway is specific for.

MULLERS LAW OF SPECIFIC NERVE ENERGY & LAW OF LOCALIZATION & PROJECTION: (continued)

If we stimulate a specific nerve fiber for a specific sensation at any point in pathway same sensation is perceived (along the pathway of touch, if we stimulate any point sensation perceived will be touch, no matter what is the stimulus. Point to point connection between receptors in different parts of body with the sensory cortex. Specific nerve fibers carry impulses from receptors of a particular part of body, e.g., from the hand. Specific nerve fibers carry impulses to sensory cortex & with the help of these specific nerve fibers localization of stimulus.

5. PHANTOMS LIMB:

A person having amputated leg sometimes c/o severe pain & proprioceptive sensations in the amputated leg. MECHANISM: In stump of amputated leg, are cut ends of nerve fibers specific for the amputated leg. When stimulated (pressure / infection) c/o pain in missing leg (Phantoms limb).

6. DETERMINATION OF INTENSITY OF STIMULUS:

Brain can determine intensity of stimulus by 2 types of sensory inputs: FREQUENCY of discharge of impulses from receptors. (directly proportional). NUMBER OF RECEPTORS stimulated. (directly proportional).