ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION Sensory transduction has been defined as the combination of processes that converts the physical energy of a potential stimulus into neuroelectric energy. Within this broad rubric, we shall try to emphasize that there are several distinct and sequential processes involved in sensory energy conversions. It must be understood that reference is not being made to the separate fact that the several different receptors use several different energy conversion mechanisms, but rather that within each of the sensory modalities, transduction cannot be considered a unitary process. Quite to the contrary, it must be considered to be a train of distinguishable stages, each of which must be explained in turn before we can claim to have full knowledge of the transduction process of any given modality.
