Thermoception or thermoreception is the sense by which an organism perceives temperatures. The details of how temperature receptors work are still being investigated.  Ciliopathy is associated with decreased ability to sense heat, thus cilia may aid in the process.  Transient receptor potential channels (TRP channels) are believed to play a role in many species in sensation of hot, cold, and pain.  Mammals have at least two types of sensor: those that detect heat (i.e., temperatures above body temperature) and those that detect cold (i.e. temperatures below body temperature).