A receptor potential in the pacinian corpuscle

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

[Chapter 2, II A 4; Figure 2.2]. Receptor potentials in sensory receptors (such as the pacinian corpuscle) are not action potentials and therefore do not have the stereotypical size and shape or the all-or-none feature of the action potential. Instead, they are graded potentials that vary in size depending on the stimulus intensity. A hyperpolarizing receptor potential would take the membrane potential away from threshold and decrease the likelihood of action potential occurrence. A depolarizing receptor potential would bring the membrane potential toward threshold and increase the likelihood of action potential occurrence.

A Receptor Potential in the Pacinian Corpuscle