A type of sensory organ found in many invertebrates consists of a spherical, fluid filled chamber that contains grains of sand or other dense granules. The cells lining the chamber are mechanoreceptors with sensitive cilia that project into the lumen. The granules settle at the low point within the chamber, deforming the cilia underneath and stimulating the cells directly below them. In this sensory organ, the responses of multiple mechanoreceptors are combined to enable the detection of
A) movement.
B) pressure.
C) gravity.
D) temperature.
E) sound.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This description outlines the function of a statocyst, which is a sensory organ used by many invertebrates to detect gravity. The settling of granules or statoliths at the low point within the chamber, deforming the cilia, allows the organism to sense its orientation relative to gravity.

A Type of Sensory Organ Found in Many Invertebrates Consists