thermoreception

Table of Contents

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

thermoreception in polar bears

Cold-blooded animals such as lizards maintain safe body temperatures by moving into locations of favourable temperature. This behaviour is largely influenced by thermoreceptors in the skin.

Warm-blooded animals such as the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) can use nonshivering thermogenesis, the production of heat through metabolic processes, to maintain body temperature in cold climates.

In warm-blooded animals, including humans, the autonomic nervous system plays a major role in maintaining body temperature by internally regulating heat production and heat loss.

Imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) have become valuable tools in the study of human sensation. For example, PET has been used to investigate brain areas involved in thermoreception.

graph showing electrical impulses

The science behind spicy foods

neuron; conduction of the action potential

In the brood season honeybees (Apis mellifera) maintain hive temperatures at 35–36 °C (95–97 °F) by behavioral means such as wing beating to circulate air.

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is very sensitive to changes in air temperature, sometimes responding to changes as small as 0.05 °C (0.09 °F).

For Students

thermoreception summary

Read Next

Young sportswoman resting after running, sweat

Can You Really Sweat Out Toxins?

Women yawning

Why Do We Yawn?

Discover

Woman tied to a ducking stool, a method of punishment by means of humiliation, beating, or death. (cucking stool)

8 Unusual Punishments Inflicted on Women Throughout History

Thanksgiving Turkey with all the sides

Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?

An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.

11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society

12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”

Diverse elementary school children wearing school uniforms running outside of school. Boys girls

Pro and Con: School Uniforms

Thanksgiving Celebration Traditional Dinner Setting Food Concept

Why Is Thanksgiving in the U.S. Celebrated on a Thursday?

Adolf Hitler (Nazi, nazism, German leader).

9 Things You Might Not Know About Adolf Hitler

thermoreception: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos and Videos

thermoreception in polar bears

Cold-blooded animals such as lizards maintain safe body temperatures by moving into locations of favourable temperature. This behaviour is largely influenced by thermoreceptors in the skin.

Warm-blooded animals such as the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) can use nonshivering thermogenesis, the production of heat through metabolic processes, to maintain body temperature in cold climates.

In warm-blooded animals, including humans, the autonomic nervous system plays a major role in maintaining body temperature by internally regulating heat production and heat loss.

Imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) have become valuable tools in the study of human sensation. For example, PET has been used to investigate brain areas involved in thermoreception.

graph showing electrical impulses

neuron; conduction of the action potential

In the brood season honeybees (Apis mellifera) maintain hive temperatures at 35–36 °C (95–97 °F) by behavioral means such as wing beating to circulate air.

The mosquito Aedes aegypti is very sensitive to changes in air temperature, sometimes responding to changes as small as 0.05 °C (0.09 °F).

Caterpillars of the eastern tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma americanum, family Lasiocampidae) have cold-receptor cells located on their antennae and mouthparts.

The science behind spicy foods

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

thermoregulation paradoxical cold and heat perspiration endotherm panting ectotherm throat fluttering gooseflesh shivering heat-sensitive organ chemoreception photoreception mechanoreception human eye pain smell taste vision hearing

Quiz

Male muscle, man flexing arm, bicep curl.

Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

Muscles of facial expression, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC). Human face, human head.

Characteristics of the Human Body