Final answer:
Nociceptors are responsible for detecting potentially damaging stimuli that result in pain. They respond to mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli and are found throughout the body. Different types of nociceptors are activated depending on the specific stimulus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nociceptors are responsible for selectively detecting potentially damaging stimuli that result in pain. They are a type of sensory receptor that transduce painful stimuli, such as mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli, into electrical signals that our brain can understand as pain. Nociceptors are found throughout our body, both in internal organs and on the surface of the body. Different types of nociceptors are activated depending on the specific stimulus. For example, some nociceptors detect damaging heat or cold, while others detect excessive pressure or painful chemicals.