Final answer:
A sensory receptor is a specialized nerve cell that responds to a stimulus by generating a nerve impulse, which is then transmitted to the central nervous system to create a perception of the stimulus and potentially trigger a motor response.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sensory receptor is a specialized nerve cell that responds to a stimulus in the internal or external environment by generating a nerve impulse.
When a stimulus changes the cell membrane potential of a sensory neuron, the sensory cell produces an action potential that is relayed into the central nervous system (CNS), where it is integrated with other sensory information to become a conscious perception of that stimulus.
The integration in the CNS may then lead to a motor response.