AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The brain distinguishes sensory stimuli through a sensory pathway: action potentials from sensory receptors travel along neurons that are dedicated to a particular stimulus. These neurons are dedicated to that particular stimulus and synapse with particular neurons in the brain or spinal cord.

Detailed explanation-2: -Sensory Receptors. Specialized receptors detect stimuli of various types, including visual, olfactory, gustatory (taste), auditory, and somatosensory (mechanical, thermal, and painful) stimuli.

Detailed explanation-3: -It is probably best to start with one very important distinction that can often be confusing: the difference between sensation and perception. The physical process during which our sensory organs-those involved with hearing and taste, for example-respond to external stimuli is called sensation.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sensory neurons receive information via their receptors, which are part of the peripheral nervous system, and convert this information into electrical impulses. These impulses act as signals and are passed on to the central nervous system. The spinal cord and brain then receive and respond to this information.