Question

Through the process of sensory transduction, we change incoming sensory information into messages that our brain can process. Two cell types that transduce information are Pacinian corpuscles and Inner Hair Cells. (a) What type of sensory information are each of these cells sensitive to? (b) List and describe two aspects of the process of sensory transduction that are similar across these cell types (c) List and describe two aspects of the process of sensory transduction that are different across these cell types. Note: Similarities cannot include 1) the fact that both transduce information. Differences cannot include 1) a restatement of the different types of energy that are processed, 2) that these are in different sensory organs.

Answer 1

1. Pacinian corpuscles are the nerve endings on the skin responsible for sensitivity to vibration and pressure. Inner hair cells are responsible for the detection and transmision of sound waves to the brain via auditory nerve.

2. Both Pacinian corpuscles and inner hair cells can detect vibrations.

3. Pacinian corpuscles in pancreas are capable of detecting the low frequency sounds while inner hair cells are capable of detecting the sounds with varied frequency. The deformation in the pacinian corpuscle causes action potentials to be generated while an inner hair is not capable of causing an action potential by itself.