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Sensory receptor cells, usually called sensors or receptors, transduce (convert) physical and chemical stimuli such as light and sound waves, pressure (e.g., touch), and odorant and taste molecules into neural signals. These signals are then transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS) for processing and interpretation. The first step in this process of sensory transduction is a change in the membrane potential of the receptor cell in response to a specific type of stimulus.
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Specific stimuli cause changes in membrane potentials of sensory cells.
Sensory receptors act directly or indirectly on ion channels in the cell membrane.
Responses to sensory information depend on the neural circuits they activate.
Receptors can adapt to constant stimulation.