University of Central Florida (UCF) BSC1005 Biological Principles Practice Exam 3

The term that describes the phenomenon where sensory receptors become less sensitive upon repeated activation is sensory adaptation. This process allows organisms to adjust to constant stimuli in their environment and helps to prevent sensory overload. For example, when you enter a room with a strong smell, you may notice it initially; however, over time, your sensory receptors become less responsive to that odor, and you may no longer be aware of it. This adaptation is crucial for survival, as it enables organisms to focus on new and potentially important changes in their environment rather than being constantly aware of unchanged conditions.

Other terms, such as sensory transduction, refer to the process through which sensory stimuli are converted into neural signals. Neural plasticity involves the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experience. Perceptual learning refers to the process through which the perception of sensory information improves with experience. While all these concepts relate to sensory processing, they do not specifically describe the phenomenon of reduced sensitivity to consistent stimuli, which is the core of sensory adaptation.