Sensor

Definition

In the context of anatomy and physiology, a sensor is a structure that detects changes in the internal or external environment of an organism, signaling these changes to the body's control centers to maintain homeostasis. These sensors are crucial for initiating responses that keep the body's conditions within survivable limits.

Related terms

Homeostasis: The dynamic process by which an organism maintains its internal environment within certain limits despite external changes.

Feedback loop: A biological mechanism whereby the output of a system acts back on the input path to adjust and regulate its further output, essential for maintaining homeostasis.

Effector: An organ or cell that acts in response to stimuli from the nervous system or other regulatory mechanisms in order to adjust the condition being regulated