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Biology A level

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Question:

How does a stimulation of pacinian corpuscles lead to a generator potential

Author: Gen Bailey



Answer:

Pressure (stimulus) is applied e.g. needle being inserted in the arm, being massaged, shaking hands, a tap on the head, etc. The pressure on the skin stimulates the Pacinian corpuscles. The pressure causes the layers of lamellae to become deformed (change shape/stretch). This pressure also presses against the sensory nerve ending causing the axon membrane to stretch. In the membrane, there are stretch mediated sodium ion channels. These channels only open when the membrane is stretched. Sodium ions diffuse in, creating a generator potential. If the generator potential passes the threshold, an action potential is produced


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