Final answer:
The 'receptive field' is the specific area in which a single sensory neuron can detect stimuli. Sensory information is first received at the primary sensory cortex, before it is processed further in the cerebral cortex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the area within which a single sensory neuron can detect a stimulus is known as the receptive field. Each sensory receptor is designed to be sensitive to specific types of stimuli within this region. In the cerebral cortex, the processing of sensory information starts at the primary sensory cortex, moves on to an association area, and finally into multimodal integration areas.
For instance, the visual system involves the projection pathway from the retina through the thalamus to the primary visual cortex. The primary sensory cortex is the initial area where the brain receives sensory information from the thalamus for conscious perception. The receptive field allows for the sensory system to translate sensory signals into electrical signals that are processed by the nervous system.