Tonic receptors
A) are quick to adapt to a particular stimulus intensity.
B) slowly decrease the frequency of action potentials generated to a constant stimulus.
C) are attune to changes in a parameter, not the extent of that change.
D) will always decrease to the point where no action potentials are generated.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tonic receptors slowly decrease the frequency of action potentials generated to a constant stimulus, unlike phasic receptors which quickly adapt to a particular stimulus intensity.

Answer: C 
 Tonic receptors are attuned to changes in a parameter, not the extent of that change. This means that they will continue to fire action potentials as long as there is some change occurring, even if the change is small.

Answer: D 
 This statement is incorrect. Tonic receptors may decrease their firing rate in response to a constant stimulus, but they do not necessarily stop generating action potentials altogether.

Tonic Receptors