How do skin receptors respond to touch and temperature?

Skin receptors respond to touch and temperature through specialised nerve endings that transmit signals to the brain.

Skin receptors, also known as cutaneous receptors, are a type of sensory receptor found in the dermis or epidermis. They are part of the somatosensory system, which is responsible for processing sensations such as touch, temperature, and pain. These receptors are essentially nerve endings that are specialised to respond to different types of stimuli.

Touch is primarily sensed by mechanoreceptors, a type of skin receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion. There are four main types of mechanoreceptors: Merkel cells, Meissner's corpuscles, Ruffini endings, and Pacinian corpuscles. Each of these has a different sensitivity to touch and pressure, and they are distributed differently across the skin. For example, Merkel cells are found in the fingertips and lips, and are particularly sensitive to light touch.

Temperature is sensed by thermoreceptors, another type of skin receptor. There are two types of thermoreceptors: those that respond to cold temperatures (known as cold receptors) and those that respond to warm temperatures (known as warm receptors). Cold receptors are activated by temperatures below 20°C, while warm receptors respond to temperatures above 30°C. These receptors send signals to the brain when the skin's temperature changes, allowing us to perceive the sensation of warmth or coldness.

When these receptors are stimulated, they generate nerve impulses that travel along sensory nerves to the brain. The brain then interprets these signals as sensations of touch or temperature. This process is known as sensory transduction. It's a complex process that allows us to interact with and respond to our environment, helping us to avoid potential dangers and seek out pleasurable experiences.