The rate of change of a stimulus may be important in determining receptor response.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Receptors may have different thresholds for detecting changes in stimuli at different rates. For example, a sudden loud sound may stimulate a different response compared to a gradual increase in sound intensity, even if the two stimuli have the same overall intensity. This is known as temporal summation, and it can affect how receptors transmit information to the brain about changes in the environment.

The Rate of Change of a Stimulus May Be Important