Final answer:
Granular cells, commonly referred to as Merkel cells, are a type of mechanoreceptor that senses light touch and are found in the stratum basale of the epidermis. There are also deep pressure and vibration sensors like Pacinian corpuscles, and other receptors like Ruffini and Meissner's corpuscles, which help in detecting different types of mechanical forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mechanoreceptors are sensory receptors that respond to mechanical forces such as pressure, touch, and vibrations. We have different types of mechanoreceptors located in various parts of our body which help us sense our environment. Merkel cells, also known as type I cutaneous mechanoreceptors, are responsible for sensing light touch and are found in the stratum basale of the epidermis. Deep pressure and vibration are sensed by lamellated (Pacinian) corpuscles, located deep in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue. Light touch can also be transduced by tactile (Meissner) corpuscles, which are encapsulated endings known to be located in the skin. The detection of hair movement is achieved through the hair follicle plexus which wraps around hair follicles, while stretching of the skin is transduced by bulbous corpuscles (Ruffini corpuscles), also known as type II cutaneous mechanoreceptors.
Mechanoreceptors can be classified into three groups: tactile, proprioceptors, and baroreceptors. Tactile mechanoreceptors include Merkel's disks, Meissner's corpuscles, Ruffini endings, and Pacinian corpuscles. These receptors detect sensations by the physical deformation of their plasma membranes due to mechanical strains such as touch and pressure. Particularly, Merkel's disks are found in the upper layers of skin near the base of the epidermis and provide a detailed sense of touch, crucial for actions like typing on a keyboard.