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Because fast-adapting receptors have a high temporal resolution, they are optimal detectors of all of the following except?

User Jason Dahl
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Final Answer:

Because fast-adapting receptors have a high temporal resolution, they are optimal detectors of all of the given except Slowly changing stimuli, so correct option is b) Slowly changing stimuli

Step-by-step explanation:

Fast-adapting receptors, also known as phasic receptors, excel at detecting rapid changes in stimuli and dynamic, unpredictable stimuli. However, they are not optimal detectors for slowly changing or constant stimuli.

This is because these receptors are designed to respond strongly to the onset or offset of a stimulus rather than to its sustained presence. In the case of slowly changing stimuli, the receptor may adapt to the stimulus and cease signaling, leading to a diminished response.

These receptors play a crucial role in signaling changes in the environment, providing essential information for survival. For example, in the context of touch sensation, fast-adapting receptors help detect the initiation and termination of a touch, making them well-suited for tasks that require attention to dynamic events.

On the other hand, slowly changing stimuli may not trigger the same strong response from these receptors, as their design prioritizes changes in the sensory input.

In summary, while fast-adapting receptors are optimal for detecting rapid changes and dynamic stimuli, they are not well-suited for signaling slowly changing or constant stimuli, making option b) the correct answer.

Because fast-adapting receptors have a high temporal resolution, they are optimal detectors of all of the given except Slowly changing stimuli, so correct option is b) Slowly changing stimuli

Complete question :

"Because fast-adapting receptors have a high temporal resolution, they are optimal detectors of all of the following except:

a) Rapid changes in stimuli

b) Slowly changing stimuli

c) Steady or constant stimuli

d) Dynamic and unpredictable stimuli

User Qed
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Final answer:

Fast-adapting receptors are optimal for detecting new and changing stimuli, but not for perceiving constant stimuli over time. Photoreceptors and bipolar cells hyperpolarize in response to light, unlike other sensory receptors that typically depolarize when stimulated.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fast-adapting receptors, due to their high temporal resolution, are optimal detectors for changes in stimuli such as touch, vibration, and pressure changes. They do not maintain an ongoing response to a constant stimulus, which allows them to be highly effective in detecting new and changing stimuli but not constant ones. Photoreceptors in the eye, however, have a different response. Photoreceptors and bipolar cells are unique among sensory receptors because they are hyperpolarized when they detect light, unlike most sensory receptors that become depolarized upon stimulus activation.

Considering this information, fast-adapting receptors are not optimized to detect consistent and unchanging stimuli over prolonged periods. Hence, they are not the optimal detectors for constant visual input, where a more sustained response is beneficial, such as detecting a steady light source. Instead, they excel at perceiving transient or quickly changing sensations.

Therefore, the correct answer is that fast-adapting receptors are not optimal detectors for conditions that require a sustained response like consistent light exposure, which would be the role of photoreceptors in the eye that actually undergo hyperpolarization instead of depolarization when activated by light.

User Litehouse
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