Which of the following sensory receptors is incorrectly paired with its category? a. hair cell . . . mechanoreceptor b. taste receptor . . . chemoreceptor c. rod . . . electromagnetic receptor d. olfactory receptor . . . electromagnetic receptor

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the type of stimuli each receptor responds to: mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical forces, chemoreceptors respond to chemical stimuli, and electromagnetic receptors respond to electromagnetic energy such as light.
2. Analyze option a: Hair cells are found in the inner ear and respond to mechanical movements caused by sound waves and head movements, thus correctly categorized as mechanoreceptors.
3. Analyze option b: Taste receptors detect chemicals in food, thus they are correctly categorized as chemoreceptors.
4. Analyze option c: Rods are located in the retina of the eye and respond to light, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation, thus they are correctly categorized as electromagnetic receptors.
5. Analyze option d: Olfactory receptors detect chemical substances dissolved in the air, not electromagnetic energy, thus they should be categorized as chemoreceptors, not electromagnetic receptors.

Key Concepts

Sensory Receptors

Sensory receptors are specialized cells that detect and respond to specific types of stimuli from the environment. They convert these stimuli into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system. Different types of sensory receptors are categorized based on the nature of the stimuli they respond to, such as mechanoreceptors for mechanical pressure, chemoreceptors for chemical substances, and electromagnetic receptors for light.

Mechanoreceptors

Mechanoreceptors are a type of sensory receptor that responds to mechanical forces such as pressure, vibration, and touch. They are crucial for the sense of hearing and balance, with hair cells in the inner ear being a prime example. These receptors play a vital role in converting physical stimuli into neural signals, allowing organisms to perceive their environment.

Electromagnetic Receptors

Electromagnetic receptors are sensory receptors that respond to electromagnetic energy, primarily light. Rods and cones in the retina of the eye are examples of electromagnetic receptors, enabling vision by detecting light intensity and color. In contrast, olfactory receptors, which detect airborne chemicals, are classified as chemoreceptors, not electromagnetic receptors.