Final answer:
Sensing involves specialized sensory receptors that detect stimuli in the environment and convert it into electrical signals through the process of transduction, which the central nervous system interprets and responds to.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sensory Reception and Transduction
When we sense something, the sensory receptors present in our body, specialized neurons or part of neurons, detect stimuli from our environment. This could be a touch, sound, light, or any other physical stimulus. The reception is the first step, where the receptors get activated by the stimulus they are specialized for, within their receptive field. A touch receptor, for example, needs direct contact, whereas a vision receptor can pick up light from far off stars.
Following reception comes transduction, which converts the stimulus into an electrical signal this is vital for the nervous system to process information. There are two types of sensory transduction systems: one involves a neuron and a sensory receptor cell, and the other involves a sensory nerve ending. Regardless of the type, the result is the same action potentials are generated in response to the stimuli and are transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS) for integration and potential response.
Four main aspects of a stimulus are encoded by the sensory system type, location, duration, and intensity. This encoding ensures that the CNS receives detailed and specific information to translate into a meaningful perception or response to the external or internal stimuli.