Final answer:
Sensory adaptation refers to the decreased sensitivity of sensory receptor cells to constant, unchanging stimuli, allowing for attention to be focused on new or changing environmental cues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Sensory Adaptation
The tendency of sensory receptor cells to become less sensitive to a stimulus that is unchanging is known as sensory adaptation. This phenomenon is crucial for allowing us to focus on changes in our environment that might signify new events or threats, rather than remaining constantly aware of unvarying stimuli. Sensory receptors respond to a variety of stimuli, such as mechanical stimuli, temperature, and chemicals. Each receptor type has a specialized function, but all share the ability to convert a sensory stimulus into an electrical signal through a process known as transduction. However, when faced with continuous, unchanging stimuli, sensory receptors exhibit a decreased level of response, exemplifying sensory adaptation.
An example that illustrates this concept is when you enter a room with a strong odor. Initially, the smell might be overwhelming, but after a short period, you may not notice it at all because your olfactory receptors have adapted to the constant presence of the odor molecules.