What are Phasic Receptors?
The Phasic receptors are a type of the sensory receptors that rapidly adapt and primarily respond to the changes in stimuli. These receptors have a quick response time but stop responding when the stimulus is continuous. As a result their action potentials decrease with prolonged stimulation. Phasic receptors provide information about the intensity of the stimuli rather than their duration. Examples of the phasic receptors include Pacinian corpuscles or lamellar corpuscles which are found in the hairless skin of the mammals.
Examples of Phasic Receptors
The following are some of the examples of phasic receptors:
- Touch Receptors (Meissner’s corpuscles): These receptors respond to light touch and vibration but adapt rapidly to the sustained pressure allowing them to the detect changes in tactile stimuli.
- Smell Receptors (olfactory receptors): These receptors respond to presence of the odor molecules in the air but quickly adapt to the continuous exposure to the same scent.
Functions of Phasic Receptors
The below are some of the functions of phasic receptors:
- Rapid Response to Changes: The Phasic receptors quickly detect changes in stimulus intensity or presence making them well-suited for the detecting transient events.
- Rapid Adaptation: They adapt rapidly to sustained stimuli allowing them to the filter out background information and focus on new or changing stimuli.
- Sensitivity to Dynamic Stimuli: The phasic receptors are good at detecting dynamic changes in the environment such as touch, vibration or changes in odor concentration.
Also Read: Types of Receptors
Difference Between Tonic and Phasic Receptors
The difference between tonic and phasic receptors lies in their response patterns. The tonic and phasic receptors are two types of sensory receptors that respond to various stimuli. Tonic receptors maintain a constant response to stimuli whereas phasic receptors only respond to changes in stimuli. In this article, we will look into the differences between tonic and phasic receptors and some of the shared similarities as well.
Table of Content
- What are Tonic Receptors?
- What are Phasic Receptors?
- Difference Between Tonic and Phasic Receptors
- Similarities Between Tonic and Phasic Receptors
- Conclusion – Difference Between Tonic and Phasic Receptors
- Other Related Difference Between Articles
- FAQs on Difference Between Tonic and Phasic Receptors
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