What type of sensory receptor responds to light?

Photoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that respond to light stimuli. They are primarily located in the retina of the eye, where they play an essential role in vision by converting light into electrical signals that can be processed by the brain. There are two main types of photoreceptors: rods, which are responsible for vision in low-light conditions, and cones, which detect color and fine detail in brighter light.

The distinction among the various types of receptors is crucial for understanding sensory perception. Mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical forces such as pressure or stretch; nociceptors detect pain and respond primarily to harmful stimuli; and chemoreceptors are sensitive to chemical stimuli, such as those involved in taste and smell. Thus, photoreceptors are the only type in this context that specifically functions in response to light, making them fundamental to the visual system.