What is sensory transduction?

Sensory transduction is defined as the conversion of a sensory stimulus into an electrical signal that can be interpreted by the nervous system. This process involves the transformation of physical or chemical stimuli, such as light, sound, or pressure, into a change in membrane potential in sensory receptor cells. This change in membrane potential can then lead to the generation of action potentials, allowing the brain to perceive and respond to the environment.

In the context of the other options, synaptic transmission in the nervous system involves the communication between neurons rather than the initial conversion of a stimulus. The development of sensory organs in embryos pertains to the formation of anatomical structures responsible for sensing rather than the biochemical process of transduction itself. The reduction of nerve impulses over time refers to a phenomenon known as adaptation, where receptors become less responsive to continuous stimuli, which is distinct from transduction, where the initial encoding happens.