Final answer:
Meissner's corpuscles, known for detecting light touch, are encapsulated, rapidly-adapting mechanoreceptors found in the skin, especially in the fingertips. They differ from other mechanoreceptors like Pacinian corpuscles and Ruffini endings, which detect deeper pressure and vibration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meissner's corpuscles, also known as tactile corpuscles, are specialized sensory receptors in the skin that are responsible for detecting light touch. These receptors are highly concentrated in the fingertips, allowing us to feel fine details when we touch objects. In contrast to Meissner's corpuscles, other types of sensory receptors, such as Pacinian corpuscles and Ruffini endings, are able to detect deeper sensations like pressure and vibration.
Merkel's disks, similar to Meissner's corpuscles but responding more slowly, are responsible for sensing light touch, shapes, and textures. When comparing the density of different types of mechanoreceptors, it is notable that there are more Merkel's disks and Meissner's corpuscles in the fingertips than in other parts of the skin, like the palms. This heightened sensitivity is due to the necessity of discerning fine details with our fingertips.