In general, how do sensory systems function?

Sensory nervous system detects and encodes stimuli and then sends signals from receptors. (evidence below for a clearer answer)

Explanation:

"As a whole, the sensory nervous system detects and encodes stimuli and then sends signals from receptors, that is, sense organs or simple sensory nerve endings, to the central nervous system, that is, it transduces environmental signals into electrical signals that are propagated along nerve fibers."

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