General Terms:
* Responsiveness: This is a broad term that encompasses the ability to react to any kind of stimulus.
* Sensitivity: This term emphasizes the ability to detect and react to subtle or specific stimuli.
* Adaptability: This focuses on the ability to adjust responses based on changes in the environment or stimuli.
More Specific Terms:
* Selective attention: Describes the ability to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring others.
* Discrimination: This refers to the ability to distinguish between different types of stimuli.
* Differential responding: This is a more technical term used in behavioral science, describing the ability to respond differently to different stimuli.
Other related terms:
* Plasticity: The ability of the brain or nervous system to change and adapt in response to experience.
* Cognitive flexibility: The ability to switch between different tasks or mental sets.
The best term to use will depend on the specific context and the level of detail you want to convey. For example, if you're discussing the ability of a neuron to respond to different neurotransmitters, "differential responding" might be the most appropriate. However, if you're talking about a person's ability to adapt to new situations, "adaptability" might be more suitable.