Final answer:
Tonic receptors provide continuous sensory input, while phasic receptors respond to changes in stimuli.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key difference between tonic and phasic receptors is in their response to stimuli. Tonic receptors respond to a constant or sustained stimulus and provide a continuous sensory input. An example of a tonic receptor is the muscle spindle in the tendon, which senses the length and tension of the muscle.
Phasic receptors, on the other hand, respond to changes or fluctuations in stimuli. They provide a burst of sensory information at the onset or offset of a stimulus. The Pacinian corpuscle in the skin, which detects vibrations, is an example of a phasic receptor.