Transduction

Definition

Transduction is the process by which a painful stimulus is converted into an electrical signal in the nervous system. This is the first step in the pain pathway leading to perception.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Transduction occurs at the site of injury where nociceptors are activated.
2. Nociceptors, or pain receptors, convert thermal, mechanical, or chemical stimuli into electrical signals.
3. This process involves ion channels on the nerve endings that open in response to the painful stimulus.
4. The electrical signal generated during transduction travels along peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and brain.
5. Blocking transduction can be a target for pain relief medications such as local anesthetics.

Review Questions

• What role do nociceptors play in transduction?
• How does transduction contribute to the perception of pain?
• Which types of stimuli can initiate transduction?

Related terms

Nociceptor: Specialized sensory neurons that respond to potentially damaging stimuli by sending signals to the spinal cord and brain.

Ion Channels: Proteins that allow ions to pass through them and play a crucial role in generating electrical signals during transduction.

Local Anesthetics: Medications that block nerve conduction by inhibiting ion channels, thereby preventing transduction and subsequent pain perception.