To determine:
The specific types of skin receptors that provide information about the external environment.
Introduction:
The skin has anatomically two distinct parts of the dermis and epidermis. Both of these parts have a variety of receptors to detect the changes in the external environment. Nociceptors, mechanoreceptors, and thermoreceptors are specific types of receptors in the skin that provide information about the external environment.
Explanation of Solution
The exteroceptors are the receptors, which provide information about the external stimuli. These exteroceptors detect the stimuli such as mechanical stimuli, pressure changes, vision, changes in temperature, etc. and provide the information to the brain. The exteroceptors in the skin can be divided into following types:
Receptor | Function |
Nociceptors (Pain receptors) | Nociceptors are found in most tissues throughout the body. Exceptions being the brain and possibly certain internal structures of organs. These receptors help in the sensation of pain. |
Mechanoreceptors | Mechanoreceptors sense physical stimuli, such as pressure and vibration, as well as the sensation of sound and pull of gravity. |
Thermoreceptors | Thermoreceptors are specific to sensing temperature and changes in temperature. Thermoreceptors are found in two forms, those that respond most strongly to temperatures below normal body temperature (cold thermoreceptors), and those that respond most strongly at temperatures above normal body temperature (warm thermoreceptors). |
Exteroceptors are receptors that receive input from the external environment.
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