Nociceptors detect what?

• A. Temperature
• B. Vibration
• C. Proprioception
• D. Pain

Answer: (D)

Nociceptors are specialized sensory endings that detect potentially harmful or damaging tissue stimuli, producing the sensation of pain. They respond to noxious mechanical forces, extreme temperatures, and chemical irritants. This is distinct from other receptors: thermoreceptors sense temperature changes, mechanoreceptors sense vibration or light touch, and proprioceptors sense body position and movement. Because nociceptors are specifically tuned to warn about tissue threat and initiate protective reflexes and pain perception, they are the ones responsible for detecting pain.