Thermoreceptor Definition and Examples - Biology Online Dictionary (original) (raw)

Definition
noun, plural: thermoreceptors
The sensory nerve ending in a sensory cell sensitive to changes in temperature (i.e. heat or cold).
Supplement
Snakes have special thermoreceptors found in the pit organ involved in infrared sensing.
Word origin: _thermo_– + receptor
Compare (with other sensory receptors):

• Proprioceptor
• Photoreceptor
• Nociceptor
• Mechanoreceptor
• Baroreceptor

See also:

• pit organ

Related term(s):

• thermoreception

Last updated on July 24th, 2022