Question

Keisha's mechanoreceptors respond to pressure on her right shoulder and change that energy to action potentials, which are then sent to the brain. This process is known as

a) Osmosis
b) Transduction
c) Synaptic transmission
d) Reflex arc

Answer 1

The process by which Keisha's mechanoreceptors convert pressure into action potentials sent to the brain is called b) transduction. This is a critical aspect of sensory perception where a physical stimulus is converted into an electrical nerve signal.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Keisha's mechanoreceptors respond to pressure and convert that energy to action potentials which are then sent to the brain, the process is known as transduction. This process is crucial for converting various types of sensory input, such as pressure, into a nerve signal that the brain can interpret. Upon the activation of mechanoreceptors by a stimulus like pressure, gated ion channels open, leading to a change in electrical potential.

If this depolarization is strong enough to reach a certain threshold, an action potential is generated. This action potential then propagates along the axon and uses neurotransmitters at synapses to communicate with other neurons, eventually conveying the sensory information to the brain for processing.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Answer 2

The process described is known as transduction, where mechanoreceptors in the skin convert pressure into action potentials that are sent to the brain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process described in the question, where Keisha's mechanoreceptors respond to pressure on her right shoulder and change that energy to action potentials, which are then sent to the brain, is known as transduction. Transduction is the conversion of a sensory stimulus into an electrical signal that can be transmitted to the brain.

In this case, when pressure is applied to Keisha's shoulder, the mechanoreceptors in her skin are activated. This activation causes a change in the electrical state of the mechanoreceptors, creating action potentials. These action potentials are then sent to the brain via sensory nerves, allowing Keisha to perceive the pressure on her shoulder.