When you are in the sun, the melanin builds up to increase its protective properties, which also causes the skin to darken. The epidermis also contains very sensitive cells called touch receptors that give the brain a variety of information about the environment the body is in. The second layer of skin is the dermis. read more
Somatosensory System: The Ability To Sense Touch. Our sense of touch is controlled by a huge network of nerve endings and touch receptors in the skin known as the somatosensory system. This system is responsible for all the sensations we feel – cold, hot, smooth, rough, pressure, tickle, itch, pain, vibrations, and more. read more
In order to process so many different bits of information, the skin comes equipped with millions of sensory nerve receptors. There are several types of sensory nerve receptors. Some receptors tell the difference between hot and cold; others sense an itch or a pain. For this reason, touch is one of the most complicated senses for researchers to study. read more