Final answer:
Tonic receptors continuously send signals in response to a constant stimulus, while phasic receptors respond with a burst of activity but quickly adapt. Examples of tonic receptors include proprioceptors and nociceptors, while examples of phasic receptors include Meissner's and Pacinian corpuscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tonic receptors are sensory receptors that respond to a constant stimulus by continuously sending signals to the brain as long as the stimulus persists. They do not adapt to the stimulus, meaning their response remains constant over time.
Examples of tonic receptors include proprioceptors in muscles and joints that provide information about the position and movement of our body, and nociceptors that detect pain.
Phasic receptors, on the other hand, respond with a burst of activity when a stimulus is first applied but quickly adapt and reduce their response even if the stimulus persists. They are sensitive to changes in stimuli rather than the constant presence of a stimulus.
Examples of phasic receptors include the receptors for pressure, vibration, and touch, such as Meissner's corpuscles and Pacinian corpuscles in the skin.