The receptor potential is most accurately described as
A)the membrane potential produced when a neurotransmitter molecule binds to its receptor.
B)the membrane potential produced in the receptor cell by sensory transduction.
C)the ability of sensory receptors to detect sensation.
D)the electrical gradient produced by electromagnetic perception.
E)the acuity of chemoreceptors to bind to ions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The receptor potential is the membrane potential that is generated in response to a sensory stimulus, such as light hitting a photoreceptor in the eye or sound waves moving the hair cells in the ear. This potential is generated by sensory transduction, which is the conversion of the stimulus into an electrical signal that can be transmitted to the brain for further processing. Therefore, option B is the most accurate choice as it describes the membrane potential produced in the receptor cell by sensory transduction.

The Receptor Potential Is Most Accurately Described as