They are specialized epithelial cells or neurons that transduce environmental signals into neural signals.
The environmental signals that can be detected include mechanical force, light, sound, chemicals, and temperature.
Types of sensory transducers
a. Mechanoreceptors
Pacinian corpuscles
Joint receptors
Stretch receptors in muscle
Hair cells in auditory and vestibular systems
Baroreceptors in carotid sinus
b. Photoreceptors
Rods and cones of the retina
c. Chemoreceptors
Olfactory receptors
Taste receptors
Osmoreceptors
Carotidbody 02 receptors
d. Extremes of temperature and pain
Nociceptors