Thermoception

In physiology, thermoception or thermoreception is the sensation and perception of temperature, or more accurately, temperature differences inferred from heat flux. It deals with a series of events and processes required for an organism to receive a temperature stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal in order to trigger an appropriate defense response.

Thermoception in larger animals is mainly done in the skin; mammals have at least two types. The details of how temperature receptors work are still being investigated. Ciliopathy is associated with decreased ability to sense heat; thus cilia may aid in the process.[1] Transient receptor potential channels (TRP channels)[a] are believed to play a role in many species in sensation of hot, cold, and pain. Vertebrates have at least two types of sensor: those that detect heat and those that detect cold.[4]

  1. ^ "Can You Feel The Heat? Your Cilia Can". 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  2. ^ "Press release: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021: David Julius, and Ardem Patapoutian". The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet. 4 October 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Nobel_2021b was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Johnson JI (2008). "6.16 Specialized Somatosensory Systems, 6.16.2 Thermal Sensory Systems". In Kaas JH, Gardner EP (eds.). The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference. Vol. 6: Somatosensation. Elsevier. pp. 332–335.


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