Tactile nerve endings, tactile corpuscles, bulbous corpuscles, and lamellated corpuscles are all types of:
a. Nociceptors
b. Mechanoreceptors
c. Photoreceptors
d. Chemoreceptors

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the definitions of the receptor types listed in the answer choices. Nociceptors detect pain, mechanoreceptors detect mechanical stimuli like pressure or vibration, photoreceptors detect light, and chemoreceptors detect chemical changes.
2. Step 2: Review the function of tactile nerve endings, tactile corpuscles, bulbous corpuscles, and lamellated corpuscles. These structures are specialized sensory receptors found in the skin and other tissues that respond to mechanical stimuli such as touch, pressure, and vibration.
3. Step 3: Match the function of these sensory structures to the receptor type that corresponds to mechanical stimuli. Recall that mechanoreceptors are responsible for detecting mechanical changes in the environment.
4. Step 4: Eliminate the incorrect options based on the definitions and functions. For example, tactile nerve endings and corpuscles do not detect pain (nociceptors), light (photoreceptors), or chemical changes (chemoreceptors).
5. Step 5: Conclude that tactile nerve endings, tactile corpuscles, bulbous corpuscles, and lamellated corpuscles are all types of mechanoreceptors, as they respond to mechanical stimuli like touch, pressure, and vibration.

Key Concepts

Mechanoreceptors

Mechanoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion. They play a crucial role in the sensation of touch, vibration, and proprioception. The types mentioned in the question, such as tactile corpuscles and bulbous corpuscles, are all mechanoreceptors that detect different forms of mechanical stimuli.

Tactile Nerve Endings

Tactile nerve endings, also known as free nerve endings, are sensory receptors located in the skin that respond to light touch. They are responsible for detecting fine tactile sensations and are distributed throughout the skin, providing essential information about the external environment.

Corpuscles

Corpuscles, such as tactile corpuscles (Meissner's corpuscles) and lamellated corpuscles (Pacinian corpuscles), are encapsulated mechanoreceptors that enhance sensitivity to specific types of mechanical stimuli. Tactile corpuscles are sensitive to light touch and vibration, while lamellated corpuscles respond to deep pressure and high-frequency vibrations, illustrating the diversity of mechanoreceptive functions.