What does a baroreceptor sense?

What does a baroreceptor sense?

• A. Pain
• B. Pressure
• C. Light
• D. Temperature

Answer: (B)

Baroreceptors are stretch-sensitive mechanoreceptors that monitor arterial pressure. Located mainly in the carotid sinus and aortic arch, they detect how much the vessel walls are stretched as blood pressure changes. When pressure rises, they fire more rapidly; this information triggers the brainstem to increase parasympathetic activity and decrease sympathetic activity, lowering heart rate and causing vasodilation to bring blood pressure down. When pressure falls, firing decreases, prompting sympathetic activation to raise heart rate, enhance contractility, and cause vasoconstriction to raise pressure. Because they respond to mechanical stretch related to pressure, the correct choice is Pressure. They do not sense light, temperature, or pain.

Baroreceptors are stretch-sensitive mechanoreceptors that monitor arterial pressure. Located mainly in the carotid sinus and aortic arch, they detect how much the vessel walls are stretched as blood pressure changes. When pressure rises, they fire more rapidly; this information triggers the brainstem to increase parasympathetic activity and decrease sympathetic activity, lowering heart rate and causing vasodilation to bring blood pressure down. When pressure falls, firing decreases, prompting sympathetic activation to raise heart rate, enhance contractility, and cause vasoconstriction to raise pressure. Because they respond to mechanical stretch related to pressure, the correct choice is Pressure. They do not sense light, temperature, or pain.