Describe the characteristics of receptor cells.

• Transduction; receptor cells are capable of changing physical stimuli into an electrical impulse.
• Sensitivity; receptor cells are able to detect the slightest change in their environment (stimulus)
• Adaptation; if a stimulus is maintained, receptor cells are able to adapt to it so that the stimulus no longer causes an impulse, however strong it is.
• Inhibition; receptor cells can be stopped from firing impulses by special synaptic connections. As a result, certain impulses are transmitted only when required.

Precision; receptors are able to transmit the information precisely without alteration.