Final answer:
Nociceptors are activated by potentially damaging stimuli including mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli, such as the capsaicin found in hot peppers which causes a pain or heat sensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nociceptors are specialized sensory receptors responsible for the sensation of pain, and they are activated by various types of potentially damaging stimuli.
These can include mechanical, chemical, or thermal stimuli that exceed a certain threshold, indicating potential or actual tissue damage. One example of a chemical that activates nociceptors is capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers, which binds to and activates receptor proteins in nociceptors. This binding causes the sensation of pain or heat because capsaicin activates the same channels used by the body to detect high temperatures.