What type of receptors detect temperature changes?

Thermoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that are specifically designed to detect changes in temperature. These receptors play a crucial role in thermoregulation, allowing the body to sense and respond to changes in the external environment. They’re typically located in the skin and other tissues, providing the central nervous system with information about ambient temperature as well as changes in the body's core temperature.

These receptors can be classified into two main types: cold receptors, which respond to decreases in temperature, and warm receptors, which respond to increases in temperature. The ability to perceive temperature is essential for maintaining homeostasis, as it enables the body to initiate appropriate physiological responses, such as sweating or shivering, to regulate temperature.

Pain receptors, mechanoreceptors, and photoreceptors have different functions. Pain receptors respond to potentially damaging stimuli, mechanoreceptors are sensitive to mechanical pressure or distortion, and photoreceptors are specialized for detecting light. Each of these receptor types serves distinct sensory functions that do not include temperature detection. Hence, thermoreceptors are the only type that specifically responds to temperature changes.