Phasic receptors, such as lamellar and tactile corpuscles, can adapt rapidly to a stimulus. This adaptability is desirable, as general touch receptors functionally do not need to remain activated. When contact is made, action potentials are generated at an increased rate. They slowly decrease as the stimulus remains constant, resulting in decreased awareness of the stimulus. When the stimulus terminates, action potentials are increased again and awareness of the ending stimulus is regained. For example, the pressure on your body as you are lying in bed is not felt; however, when you roll over you feel it on your skin again temporarily.
Conversely, tonic receptors are non-adaptive and remain constant when stimulated. This is functionally
Conversely, tonic receptors are non-adaptive and remain constant when stimulated. This is functionally