Question

Which of the following is NOT true of sensory adaptation?

A.Thermoreceptors commonly undergo sensory adaptation.
B.It involves a fading of sensation upon continuous receptor stimulation.
C.It occurs when a person adjusts to a strong smell in the environment.
D.It commonly occurs in pain receptors.
E.All of these are true of sensory adaptation.Incorrect

Answer 1

Pain receptors, or nociceptors, do not typically undergo sensory adaptation, unlike thermoreceptors and other senses, as pain is a critical signal requiring attention. The answer is option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is NOT true of sensory adaptation is 'It commonly occurs in pain receptors.' While sensory adaptation is a common phenomenon that allows humans to adjust to constant stimuli in their environment, pain receptors, or nociceptors, do not typically undergo sensory adaptation.

This is because the sensation of pain is a critical signal for potential or actual harm to the body, which requires attention and often immediate action to avoid or correct the source of pain. In contrast, thermoreceptors do commonly adapt when the temperature remains constant. Alongside temperature, our sense of smell and other receptors can also undergo adaptation, leading to a decreased sensation over time with continuous exposure.