Dynamic Range is the range of stimulus intensities over which a receptor can res

Question

Dynamic Range is the range of stimulus intensities over which a receptor can respond. Receptors that have a smaller (or narrower) dynamic range have much better discrimination of changes in stimulus intensity than receptors that have a large dynamic range (although I can’t test figures here, you should be able to draw a neuron with a wide vs. narrow dynamic range). Please explain the trade-off between dynamic range and discrimination using the relationship between number of action potentials fired and changes in stimulus intensity for both receptors with narrow vs. large dynamic ranges (FYI: I should see numbers in this explanation to explain the figure that is on the slide I presented).

Explanation / Answer

If threshold intensity, which is the weakest stimulus that produces a response in a receptor 50% of the time, is at 500, the receptor saturation, which is the top of the dynamic range/ maximal response, will reach 1250. As stimulus intensity increases, so does the number of action potentials fired.

Large dynamic range: large change in stimulus cases a small change in action potential frequency.

Large dynamic range ---> Poor sensory discrimination

Narrow dynamic range: small change in stimulus causes a large change in action potential frequency.

Small dynamic range ---> Good sensory discrimination

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