Which of the following sensory receptors is incorrectly paired with its category?
a. Hair cell . . . Mechanoreceptor
b. Taste receptor . . . Chemoreceptor
c. Rod . . . Electromagnetic receptor
d. Olfactory receptor . . . Electromagnetic receptor

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the categories of sensory receptors. Sensory receptors are specialized cells that detect specific types of stimuli. The main categories include mechanoreceptors (detect mechanical forces), chemoreceptors (detect chemical stimuli), electromagnetic receptors (detect light or electromagnetic waves), and others.
2. Step 2: Analyze the pairing of each receptor with its category. For example, hair cells are mechanoreceptors because they detect mechanical vibrations in the inner ear. Taste receptors are chemoreceptors because they respond to chemical molecules in food. Rods are electromagnetic receptors because they detect light in the retina.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the pairing of 'olfactory receptor' with 'electromagnetic receptor.' Olfactory receptors are responsible for detecting chemical molecules in the air (smell), which makes them chemoreceptors, not electromagnetic receptors.
4. Step 4: Identify the incorrect pairing. Based on the analysis, the pairing of 'olfactory receptor' with 'electromagnetic receptor' is incorrect because olfactory receptors belong to the chemoreceptor category.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the option where the sensory receptor is paired with the wrong category, which is 'd. olfactory receptor . . . electromagnetic receptor.'

Key Concepts

Sensory Receptors

Sensory receptors are specialized cells that detect and respond to specific types of stimuli from the environment. They convert these stimuli into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system. Different types of sensory receptors include mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, and electromagnetic receptors, each tuned to specific forms of energy such as pressure, chemicals, or light.

Mechanoreceptors

Mechanoreceptors are a type of sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion. They are involved in the sense of touch, hearing, and balance. Hair cells, found in the inner ear, are a prime example of mechanoreceptors, as they detect sound vibrations and changes in head position, translating these mechanical signals into neural impulses.

Electromagnetic Receptors

Electromagnetic receptors are sensory receptors that respond to electromagnetic energy, such as light. Rods and cones in the retina of the eye are examples of electromagnetic receptors, as they detect light and enable vision. In contrast, olfactory receptors, which detect airborne chemicals, are classified as chemoreceptors, not electromagnetic receptors.