Do.

Recep
Receptors 841
d TonicH e c e ptors
tor
Receptor potential is not act
graded potential action potenti
time, receptors are divided (Chapter 29). It is similar to It is a
u p o n
dontation
a d a p t

DOstsynaptic potential (EPSP) in excitatory

get adapted rapidly. Touch
potentialin
neuromuscular synapse, endplate
c
pes
otors, whic

a r e the phasic receptors.

potential in the nerve fiber. junction and electrotonic
ceptors
ich adapt slowly. Muscle
essurer e c e p t

ceptors, which

andecold receptors are the

Properties of Receptor Potential
Receptor potential has two important
receptors

pain

e
ecepiors. i. Receptor
potential is properties.
INCREASE IN
STRENGTH OF within the non-propagated;
receptor itself.
it is confined
c TTO
SPONSE ii. It does not
H U L U S :W E B E
FECHNER LAW obey all-or-none law.
receptor, iif the response given
a receptor,
Significance of Receptor Potential
ation of of stimulus
doubled, the strength
re
stim

to be
This phenomenon is ie When receptor potential is sufficiently
100 times.
ed law, which states that intensity of
nchner strong
(when theof
magnitude is about 10 mV), it auses development
is directly
ential in the sensory
proportionalaction potential
nerve.
ation) ofa receptor of stimulus.
in the intensity Mechanism of Development of Receptor Potential
mic increase
ber-Fechner Law Pacinian corpuscles are generally used to study the
vitdion
ofWeb

as follows:
receptor potential because of its large size and ana-
law is
derived
tomical configuration. These corpuscles can be
Fechner easily
dissected from the mesentery of experimental animals.
:A log S
Pacinian corpuscles are mechanoreceptors that
(sensation) give
: ntensity of
response response to pressure and vibration.
Constant

ntensity of stimulus
Structure of pacinian corpuscle

Pacinian corpuscles are situated in deeper layers of

SENSORY TRANSDUCTION
skin. Some corpuscles are also situated in tissues sur
receptor is a process by which rounding the joints such as fascia over the muscle, ten-
swtransduction in a dons and joint capsule. Pacinian corpuscles situated in
in the environment is converteed
9ery (stimulus)
sctrical impulses (action potentials) in nerve fiber these tissues are responsible for determining the posi-
st.cion means conversion of one form of energy tion of the joints.
0her). Pacinian corpuscles are small onion-shaped struc-
ena receptor is stimulated. it gives response by tures. Each corpuscle is approximately oval-cylindrical
ynmormation about the stimulus to CNS. Series in shape and measures about 1 mm inlength. It is cov-
%0CCur to carry out this function such as the de- ered by a capsule which is formed by 20 to 60 concentric
Htofreceptor potential the receptor cell and lamellae of connective tissue. Thelamella itself is a thin
nent of action potential the sensory nerve. flat layer with epithelial cells at the periphery and with
y transduction varies ending upon the modified Schwann cells in the deeper part. inthe center
nirxample, theemoreceptor con- of the corpuscle, a single unmyelinated afferent (sen
cal energy into actiootential in the sen sory) nerve fiber is present.
Der. Touch receptorverts mechanical the
This unmyelinated nerve tip extends through
O n potential in concentric layers of
the nsory nerve fiber. Corpuscle as center core fiber. The
the corpuscle surround the core fiber of
the nerve.
EPTOR POTENTIAL Pacinian corpuscles give response
to pressure
on
stimulus. When pressure stimulus is applied, the
This compression
pacinian corpuscle is compressed.
Solential is a of the corpuscle.
non-propag transmembrane
atedce that develops when a receptor causes elongation or change in shape
of the corpuscle
leads to the

ne change in shapecore fiber of the corpuscde. These

dentalso
shortial is STo called generator potential. detormation of center sodium
receptor potential.lived and hence,
it is called in the opening of
results
mechanicaly gated
the positively
charged sodum
channels (Chapter 3). So,
 Section 10: Nervous System
842 Pressure stimulus
Pacinian corpuscle
Before stimutation

Nerve fiber

pacinian corpuscle
++++++ *+*ttt++t+++++4++++ Compression of

of pacinian corpuscle
change in shape
e
* + + + + + + t +++++++++#++++++++** Elongation or

center core fiber

Deformation of
After stimulation

sodium channels
t+ +++++++ mechanically gated
Opening of

of sodium ions into the core fiber

t + +++++++ Entrance

Development of receptor potential

Stimulus
Receptor potential Local circuit current Action potential

FIGURE 136.4: Receptor potential in pacinian corpuscle. flow

Development of local circuit of
current

Receptor potential leads to development of local circuit

leads to
which spreads up to first node within the capsule. It
of fiber.
development of action potential in the first node
nerve

Spread of locai circuit of current flow to the first node of

Ranvier in the corpuscle

produces a mild
ions enter the interior of core fiber. This
sodium channels
depolarization, i.e. receptor potential (Fig. 136.4). Opening of voltage-gated
in first node of Ranvier

Ceneration of Action Potential

in the Nerve Fiber
development of a local cir- Entrance of sodium ions
Receptor potential causes
the unmyeli-
cuit of current flow. which spreads along
nated part of nerve fiber within the corpuscle.
reaches the first
When this local circuit of current
Generation of action potential in the nerve fiber
node of Ranvier within the corpuscle,
it causes opening of
channels and entrance of sodium
voltage-gated sodium
o n s into the nerve fiber.
This leads to the development FIGURE 136.5: Schematic diagram showing development of re

of action potential in the nerve fiber (Fig. 136.5). eptr potential and generation of action potential in nerve fiDer
 Chapter 136: ReceptorS

6 . LAW OF PROJECTION in
ii. Sensation complained by amputated patients
the missing limb (phantom limb) is the best
ex-
When a sensory pathway from receptor to cerebral cor-
if a leg
tex stimulated on any particular site along its course.
is ample of law of projection. For example,
has been amputated, the cut end heals with
scar
the sensation caused by stimulus is always felt
(re- formation. The cut ends of nerve fibers are merged
ferred) at the location of receptor, irrespective of site
within the scar.
stimulated. This phenomenon is known as law of pro-
If the cut ends of sensory fibers are stimulated dur-
jection. ing movement of thigh, the patient feels as if the sensa-
tion is originating from non-existent leg. Sometimes
Examples of Law of Projection
the patient feels pain in non-existent limb. This type of
. If somesthetic area in right cerebral cortex, which pain is called phantom limb pain.
receives sensation from left hand, is stimulated
sensations are felt in left hand and not in head.