Question

Sensation occurs when a physical stimulus is converted into a neural impulse. In terms of the human eye, What is the physical stimulus, and What cells convert that into a neural impulse?

Answer 1

In the human eye, light is the physical stimulus that is converted into a neural impulse by photoreceptor cells, rods and cones, located in the retina through a process called sensory transduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In terms of the human eye, the physical stimulus that begins the process of sensation is light. This light enters the eye, and the cells responsible for converting it into a neural impulse are called photoreceptors.

These photoreceptors, which include rods and cones, are located in the retina. They perform sensory transduction, which is the conversion of light, the sensory stimulus energy, into an action potential that is transmitted by the optic nerve to the central nervous system.

The two main types of photoreceptors, rods and cones, have different functions. Rods are more numerous and are sensitive to low light conditions, allowing us to see in dim light or at night. Cones provide our color vision and work best under brighter conditions. Together, they send signals to the brain to create the visual image that we perceive.

The process of sensory transduction is crucial to our understanding of the environment. Through this biological mechanism, we are able to receive and interpret various stimuli, which then can translate into meaningful experiences, actions, or reactions.