thermosensitive

6.9

To react to changes in temperature

adjective
/ˌθɜrməˈsɛnsɪtɪv/

Specialized

: termosensible

In some plants, the thermosensitive proteins help them adapt to fluctuating temperatures throughout the day.

Examples

For her experiment, she used a thermosensitive gel that changes from liquid to solid at different temperatures.
The thermosensitive paint changes color when exposed to heat.
Scientists developed a thermosensitive gel that melts at body temperature.
Some reptiles have thermosensitive organs to detect warm-blooded prey.
This thermosensitive gel expands when heated.
The thermosensitive material reacts quickly to temperature changes.
The scientist discovered that the thermosensitive material reacts quickly to temperature changes, becoming solid when heated.

Synonyms

thermolabile

vsthermosensitive

Specialized

9.9

Easily changes or breaks down when heated

is responsive to temperature changes without implying damage or destruction

Antonyms

heatproof

1 3.5

Does not get damaged by very high heat

How Heat-Sensitive

thermolabile

Specialized

9.9

thermosensitive

Specialized

6.9

thermostability

Specialized

7.7

heatproof

1 3.5

Surface Forms

thermosensitive positive

Morphology

thermosensitive = sensitive (transparent) = thermo + sense + itive

This is a regular prefixation of the recognizable adjective 'sensitive' with thermo-, so the meaning is directly recoverable.

Etymology

Thermosensitive combines thermo- meaning 'heat' and sensitive meaning 'easily affected', and you can see thermo- in words like thermometer and thermostat. So, thermosensitive things react to changes in temperature.