What is the physiological process of converting a stimulus into a neural signal called?

The process of converting a stimulus into a neural signal is known as transduction. This physiological mechanism is fundamental in how sensory systems operate. When a sensory receptor detects a specific stimulus—such as light, sound, or touch—it transforms that external signal into an electrical signal that can be interpreted by the nervous system.

For instance, in the case of visual stimuli, photoreceptors in the retina of the eye convert light into neural signals that are then transmitted to the brain for processing. This transformation is essential for sensation, as it allows the body to respond to environmental changes.

In contrast, adaptation refers to the decrease in response to a constant stimulus over time, while perception is the process by which the brain interprets and organizes sensory information. Conduction involves the transmission of neural signals along nerve pathways but does not encompass the initial conversion of a stimulus. Thus, transduction is the specific term that accurately describes the conversion of various forms of environmental energy into a format that the nervous system can utilize.