Final answer:
Perception refers to the conscious awareness and interpretation of a stimulus, originating from the activation of receptors and the process of transduction within the sensory system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the conscious perception of a stimulus is perception. Sensation is the activation of sensory receptor cells at the level of the stimulus, whereas perception involves the central processing of these sensory signals into a meaningful pattern, allowing us to be aware of the sensory experience.
Receptors are the specialized cells or structures that detect sensations, and their activation leads to the generation of nerve impulses through the process called transduction. This allows the sensory information to be transmitted to the brain for interpretation.