Question

Animal Physiology Question

1. Compare and contrast receptor vs. generator potential. Provide enough details that I can clearly understand the similarities and differences between these two mechanisms of receiving sensory stimuli.

Answer 1

Similarity-

sensory transduction converts stimuli into graded potentials. such changes in receptor membrane potential are known as receptor potential and the generator potential.

Difference-

Receptor potential- changes in the transmembrane potential of a receptor caused by stimulus.

occurs in seperate receptor cells.

stimulus opens ion channel in receptor causing graded membrane potential.

receptor cell releases chemical messenger.

these messengers opens ion channels in afferent neuron action potential generating region.

If threshold reached, action potential is generated.

Generator potential- occur in specialized nerve endings. stimulus opens ion channel in receptors causing graded membrane potential.

local current flow opens ion channels in afferent neuron in action potential generating region. If threshold reached, action potential is generated.