Final answer:
A thermoreceptor is a specialized type of sensory receptor that responds to temperature changes, detecting hot and cold stimuli in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of receptor that is specialized to respond to hot and cold stimuli is known as a thermoreceptor. These receptors are found in various parts of the body including the dermis, skeletal muscles, liver, and hypothalamus. Thermoreceptors get activated by different temperatures and are involved in the detection of warmth and cold. For example, Krause end bulbs are sensitive to cold, while Ruffini endings respond to warmth. These thermosensory pathways travel from the spinal cord through the thalamus to the primary somatosensory cortex, while warmth and cold information from the face uses the cranial nerves to reach the brain.
Furthermore, nociceptors are responsible for transducing pain, which can result from temperature extremes. Pain and temperature sensations are closely linked and can often travel along the same pathways. Understanding the specific functions of sensory receptors like thermoreceptors and nociceptors helps explain the complexity of our perception of temperature and pain.