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Evolution has equipped us with various senses with which to detect our environment.

Biology - Detecting our Environment (AQA)

Your body is full of tiny sensors. Receptors detect light, sound, touch, and chemicals, then send nerve messages so you can react quickly to the world.

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Fascinating Fact:

Receptors are cells that spot stimuli, like light, sound, chemicals, pressure, or temperature.

In GCSE Biology (AQA), you learn how receptors detect changes in the environment and pass signals into the nervous system. This allows rapid responses, from blinking at bright light to pulling away from heat.

Key Terms

Receptor: A specialised cell or group of cells that detects a change in the environment and starts an electrical signal.
Stimulus: Any change in the internal or external environment that can be detected, such as light, sound, or temperature.
Sensory neurone: A nerve cell that carries impulses from receptors to the central nervous system.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a receptor in GCSE Biology?

In GCSE Biology, a receptor is a specialised cell or protein that detects a specific stimulus and triggers a nerve impulse so the body can respond.

What are examples of receptors in the human body?

Examples include light receptors in the retina, sound receptors in the inner ear, touch and pressure receptors in the skin, and chemical receptors in the nose and tongue.

How do receptors link to the nervous system?

When receptors detect a stimulus, they generate nerve impulses that travel along sensory neurones to the spinal cord or brain, where responses are processed and coordinated.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Nerve cells of the nervous system that are responsible for converting external stimuli from the organism's environment into electrical impulses that can be transmitted to the brain are called what?

Sensory neurons

Motor neurons

Relay neurons

Synapses

Sensory neurons are connected to the receptor cells

2 .

Your ears contain receptors sensitive to sound. But what other receptors can be found there?

Position

Light

Smell

All three of the above

The inner ear contains receptors that can detect changes in position enabling you to keep your balance

3 .

Which two human sense organs have receptors specifically sensitive to chemicals?

Ears and eyes

Eyes and nose

Nose and tongue

Eyes and skin

Smells and flavours are caused by chemicals

4 .

In which section of the brain are voluntary muscle messages processed?

Cerebellum

Hypothalamus

Frontal lobe

Medulla

Voluntary muscles are the ones that you can control e.g. calf muscle or biceps. The medulla deals with autonomic, involuntary functions such as breathing and heart rate. The frontal lobe deals with many of your thinking skills and the hypothalamus deals with the endocrine system (glands and hormones)

5 .

Which two organs comprise the central nervous system?

Brain and spinal cord

Brain and eyes

Eyes and spinal cord

Skin and bones

Nerves from the spinal column are connected to almost all parts of the body

6 .

Which of the following are effectors?

Eyes and ears

Teeth

Bones and blood

Muscles and glands

An effector is an organ that makes something happen. Muscles make parts of the body move, glands produce hormones which carry messages to organs to make them do something e.g. the adrenal gland produces the hormone adrenalin which prepares the body to fight or run away

7 .

A group of students did an experiment about taste. They were given salt, sugar, coffee, vinegar and lemon solutions to taste through a straw but they were blindfolded and had to hold their nose firmly closed. They had difficulty identifying the five flavours. Why?

Sight is important for taste

They weren't allowed to touch the containers with the solutions in

The straw takes away the taste

Identifying a flavour requires both smell and taste

Taste receptors are specialised cells in the taste buds. They can only detect sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness, and umami. Without the sense of smell, you can only guess at a flavour

8 .

Sense organs have receptors. Receptors detect changes in the environment. Which word describes one of these changes in the environment that is detected?

An effector

An affector

A neuron

A stimulus

It is called a stimulus because it stimulates a receptor cell

9 .

Which of the following correctly describes the order of the nerve pathways?

Receptor, motor neuron, CNS, sensory neuron, effector

Effector, sensory neuron, motor neuron, CNS, receptor

Receptor, sensory neuron, CNS, motor neuron, effector

Receptor, CNS, sensory neuron, motor neuron, effector

A receptor is always connected to a sensory neuron. An effector is always connected to a motor neuron

10 .

Sometimes, when people have an accident and break their back they lose the use of their legs. Why does this happen?

The part of the brain that controls their legs is damaged

They lose the blood supply to their legs

The muscles at the top of the legs become disconnected from the backbone

The spinal cord is severed and signals from the brain can't reach their legs

When the spinal cord is severed, the nerves are snapped so no messages can be sent between the brain and the legs. Not everyone who breaks their back loses the use of their legs

Author: Kev Woodward (PGCE, Science & Chemistry Teacher, Quiz Writer)