sensillum
Quick Summary
A sensillum is a simple sense organ found in invertebrates, such as insects. These organs are typically small and can take various forms, including spines, plates, rods, cones, or pegs. Each sensillum is made up of one or a few cells that are connected to a nerve.1
Sensilla play a role in various sensory functions, including touch, smell, and taste. For instance, tactile hairs, which are a type of sensillum, cover the insect's body and help it perceive its surroundings and body position. Some specialized sensilla, like chordotonal sensilla in insect legs, can detect vibrations from the ground. While some hair sensilla might respond to sound waves, their primary function is likely touch.23456
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chemoreceptionSpecialized chemosensory structuresIn polychaetes the sensilla are often borne on tentacles.
Read MoreIn polychaetes the sensilla are often borne on tentacles.
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chemoreceptionArthropodsTaste receptor sensilla of arthropods occur mainly on feeding appendages associated with but located outside the mouth. They often occur in groups. In addition, many arthropods have taste receptors on the legs, especially on the ventral surfaces of the tarsi (feet), where they come into contact with…
Read MoreTaste receptor sensilla of arthropods occur mainly on feeding appendages associated with but located outside the mouth. They often occur in groups. In addition, many arthropods have taste receptors on the legs, especially on the ventral surfaces of the tarsi (feet), where they come into contact with…
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chemoreceptionArthropods…will make contact with a sensillum. In insects the length or complexity of the antennae is a reflection of the numbers of multiporous sensilla. In insects requiring increased sensitivity, the antennae are branched, providing a larger surface area on which more sensilla can be accommodated. The featherlike (plumose) antennae of…
Read More…will make contact with a sensillum. In insects the length or complexity of the antennae is a reflection of the numbers of multiporous sensilla. In insects requiring increased sensitivity, the antennae are branched, providing a larger surface area on which more sensilla can be accommodated. The featherlike (plumose) antennae of…
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chemoreceptionPhagostimulation…have receptor cells in the sensilla on their mouthparts or tarsi that are specifically sensitive to the sulfur-containing compounds, and this may be common in insects with chemically defined host-plant ranges. These same chemicals may be deterrents for insects that do not feed on these plants, as well as for…
Read More…have receptor cells in the sensilla on their mouthparts or tarsi that are specifically sensitive to the sulfur-containing compounds, and this may be common in insects with chemically defined host-plant ranges. These same chemicals may be deterrents for insects that do not feed on these plants, as well as for…
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chemoreceptionSpecialized chemosensory structures…contained in discrete structures called sensilla that are located on the outside of the body. Each sensillum consists of one or a small number of receptor cells together with accessory cells derived from the epidermis. These accessory cells produce a fluid (analogous to vertebrate mucus) that protects the nerve endings…
Read More…contained in discrete structures called sensilla that are located on the outside of the body. Each sensillum consists of one or a small number of receptor cells together with accessory cells derived from the epidermis. These accessory cells produce a fluid (analogous to vertebrate mucus) that protects the nerve endings…
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insectSoundExceedingly sensitive organs called sensilla are concentrated in organs of hearing. These can be found on the bushy antennae of the male mosquito or tympanal organs in the front legs of crickets or in abdominal pits of grasshoppers and many moths. In moths these sensitive organs can perceive the…
Read MoreExceedingly sensitive organs called sensilla are concentrated in organs of hearing. These can be found on the bushy antennae of the male mosquito or tympanal organs in the front legs of crickets or in abdominal pits of grasshoppers and many moths. In moths these sensitive organs can perceive the…
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sound receptionHair sensillaMany specialized structures on the bodies of insects seem to have a sensory function. Among these are hair sensilla, each of which consists of a hair with a base portion containing a nerve supply. Because the hairs have been seen to vibrate in response…
Read MoreMany specialized structures on the bodies of insects seem to have a sensory function. Among these are hair sensilla, each of which consists of a hair with a base portion containing a nerve supply. Because the hairs have been seen to vibrate in response…
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