lämpöaistin

Lämpöaisti, also known as thermoreception, is the sensory perception of temperature. It allows organisms to detect heat and cold in their environment. This sense is crucial for survival, enabling creatures to regulate their body temperature, avoid extreme conditions, and find suitable habitats.

In humans and many other mammals, thermoreception is mediated by specialized nerve endings in the skin called thermoreceptors. These receptors are sensitive to specific temperature ranges. There are distinct receptors for detecting warmth and others for detecting cold. When these receptors are stimulated by changes in temperature, they send signals to the brain via the nervous system. The brain then interprets these signals, allowing us to consciously feel whether something is hot or cold.

The sensitivity of the lämpöaisti can vary greatly between individuals and species. Some animals have highly developed thermoreceptive abilities, such as pit vipers that can detect infrared radiation emitted by prey, effectively "seeing" heat. The lämpöaisti plays a vital role in behavior, influencing actions like seeking shade on a hot day or huddling together for warmth in the cold. It is a fundamental sensory input that contributes significantly to an organism's interaction with its surroundings and its overall well-being.