Final answer:
The five types of somatic receptors located in the skin are free nerve endings, Merkel cells, Meissner's corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, and Ruffini corpuscles. These receptors can detect various types of touch-related stimuli.
Step-by-step explanation:
Somatosensory receptors located in the skin can be classified into five categories: mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, proprioceptors, pain receptors, and chemoreceptors. Mechanoreceptors in the skin are further divided into encapsulated and unencapsulated receptors. The five types of somatic receptors located in the skin include:
- Free nerve endings: These are unencapsulated receptors that extend into the middle of the epidermis. They are sensitive to painful stimuli, hot and cold sensations, and light touch.
- Merkel cells: These encapsulated receptors are associated with the sense of light touch and the discrimination of shapes and textures.
- Meissner's corpuscles: Also encapsulated receptors, they are responsible for detecting gentle touch and can precisely localize stimuli in the upper layers of the skin.
- Pacinian corpuscles: Large mechanoreceptors located in the lower layers of the skin. They respond to deeper touch and pressure.
- Ruffini corpuscles: These encapsulated receptors also respond to deeper touch and pressure, but they are located in the lower layers of the skin.