The Pacinian Corpuscle (AQA A Level Biology): Revision Note

Receptors: Pacinian corpuscles

• Receptors are cells that detect stimuli; they are specific, meaning that each type of receptor detects a different type of stimulus

  • E.g. the skin contains touch receptors that are sensitive to:

    • light pressure

    • deep pressure

    • sustained pressure

    • temperature

    • pain

• Pacinian corpuscles are a type of receptor found deep in the skin; they respond to changes in pressure

• When Pacinian corpuscles are stimulated by pressure it leads to an initial change in the potential difference across the cell surface membrane; this is a generator potential

Pacinian corpuscle structure

• Pacinian corpuscles are found at the sensory neurone endings

• They are made of many layers of membrane that are separated by gel

  • The membrane layers are sometimes referred to as:

    • connective tissue

    • lamellae