Final answer:
Somatic sensory receptors are part of the somatosensory system and detect sensations such as touch, pressure, and pain from the skin, muscles, and joints. They are considered general senses and are distributed throughout the body, as opposed to being associated with specific organs like the eyes or ears. The correct option for somatic sensory receptors is that they detect sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints.
Step-by-step explanation:
Somatic Sensory Receptors
Somatic sensory receptors are specialized structures responsible for detecting sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints. These receptors are part of the somatosensory system, which is one of the general senses as opposed to the special senses that have specific associated organs, like the eyes and ears. The somatosensory system includes a variety of sensory modalities such as pressure, vibration, light touch, pain, and temperature, along with proprioception and kinesthesia, which involve body movement and position.
These receptors are not confined to a single organ but are spread widely across the body, embedded within the skin, mucous membranes, muscles, tendons, joint capsules, and even in the walls of visceral organs. Unlike special senses receptors, which are related to taste, vision, and hearing, somatic receptors provide the brain with information about the state of the body's external and internal environments.
Therefore, among the options provided, the correct answer is (2) Receptors that detect sensations from the skin, muscles, and joints.