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Sensory Neurons

Sensory Neurons

Specialized nerve cells that detect and transmit environmental stimuli to the central nervous system, forming the foundation of sensory perception and response.

Sensory Neurons

Sensory neurons, also known as afferent neurons, are specialized nerve cells that serve as the body's primary information gatherers, transforming environmental stimuli into electrical signals that the nervous system can process and interpret.

Structure and Components

The unique structure of sensory neurons includes:

  • Dendrites with specialized receptor endings
  • A cell body (soma) containing the nucleus
  • A long axon that conducts signals
  • Terminal endings that synapse with other neurons

These neurons typically have a pseudounipolar structure, where both the sensory ending and the central terminal branch from a common axon.

Types and Functions

Sensory neurons can be categorized based on the stimuli they detect:

  1. Mechanoreceptors

  2. Thermoreceptors

  3. Nociceptors

  4. Chemoreceptors

    • Respond to chemical stimuli
    • Important for taste and smell

  5. Photoreceptors

Signal Transduction

The process of converting environmental stimuli into neural signals involves:

  1. Stimulus detection by specialized receptors
  2. Membrane potential changes
  3. Generation of action potentials
  4. Signal propagation along the axon
  5. Synaptic transmission to secondary neurons

Clinical Significance

Disorders affecting sensory neurons can lead to various conditions:

Integration with Neural Networks

Sensory neurons form part of larger neural circuits:

Development and Plasticity

Sensory neurons demonstrate:

  • Early developmental specialization
  • Neural plasticity in response to experience
  • Ability to regenerate under certain conditions
  • Adaptation to repeated stimuli

Research Applications

Current research focuses on:

See Also