This sense detects which stimuli?

This sense detects which stimuli?

• A. Pain, Heat, Cold, and Pressure
• B. Smell, Taste
• C. Light, Color
• D. Sound

Answer: (A)

These stimuli are detected by somatosensory receptors in the skin, covering touch, temperature, and pain. Mechanoreceptors pick up pressure and other mechanical changes, thermoreceptors sense heat and cold, and nociceptors signal pain. All of these signals travel to the brain to give us the sense of touch and body sensation. This is distinct from other senses: smell and taste detect chemicals, vision detects light and color, and hearing detects sound.

These stimuli are detected by somatosensory receptors in the skin, covering touch, temperature, and pain. Mechanoreceptors pick up pressure and other mechanical changes, thermoreceptors sense heat and cold, and nociceptors signal pain. All of these signals travel to the brain to give us the sense of touch and body sensation. This is distinct from other senses: smell and taste detect chemicals, vision detects light and color, and hearing detects sound.