Sense Organs (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology)

Revision Note

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham

Sense Organs as Receptors

  • Receptors are groups of specialised cells

  • They detect a change in the environment and stimulate electrical impulses in response

  • Sense organs contain groups of receptors that respond to specific stimuli

Sense Organs table, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes
  • Once the receptor cell in the sense organ has been stimulated, it generates an electrical impulse

  • This is passed on to a sensory neurone which carries the impulse to the central nervous system

  • Here a response will be decided on and the impulse will be passed to a motor neurone (via a relay neurone)

  • The motor neurone carries the impulse to the effector (muscle or gland)

  • The effector carries out the response

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Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Lucy Kirkham

Author: Lucy Kirkham

Expertise: Head of STEM

Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.