Which categories of receptors are primarily involved in the detection of various special senses such as vision, hearing, taste, and smell?

• A. Electroreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and nociceptors
• B. Osmoreceptors, proprioceptors, and magnetoreceptors
• C. Thermoreceptors, nociceptors, and baroreceptors
• D. Photoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and chemoreceptors

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of special senses. Special senses are those that have specialized organs dedicated to their function, such as vision, hearing, taste, and smell.
2. Step 2: Identify the types of receptors involved in detecting stimuli for each special sense. Receptors are specialized cells or structures that respond to specific types of stimuli.
3. Step 3: For vision, the primary receptors are photoreceptors. These are sensitive to light and are located in the retina of the eye.
4. Step 4: For hearing, the primary receptors are mechanoreceptors. These detect mechanical vibrations or sound waves and are located in the cochlea of the inner ear.
5. Step 5: For taste and smell, the primary receptors are chemoreceptors. These respond to chemical stimuli, with taste receptors located on the tongue and smell receptors located in the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity.