Adequate stimulus

The adequate stimulus is a property of a sensory receptor that determines the type of energy to which a sensory receptor responds to with the initiation of sensory transduction.

A sensory receptor's adequate stimulus is determined by the signal transduction mechanisms and ion channels incorporated in the sensory receptor's plasma membrane.

Classes

• Light - When the adequate stimulus of a sensory receptor is light, the sensory receptors contain pigment molecules whose shape is transformed by light. Changes in these molecules activate ion channels which initiate sensory transduction.
• Sound - When the adequate stimulus of a sensory receptor is sound, the sensory receptors are hair cells (mechanoreceptors. These hair cells contain stereocilia , which when bent, trigger the opening of ion channels. Thus hair cells transform the pressure waves of the sound into receptor potentials to initiate sensory transduction.
• Pressure -