Taste receptor
Taste receptor
A taste receptor is a type of receptor found on the taste buds of the tongue and other regions of the mouth. These receptors are responsible for the sensation of taste.
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈteɪst rɪˈsɛptər/
Etymology
The term "taste receptor" is derived from the English words "taste" and "receptor". "Taste" comes from the Old French taster meaning "to touch, feel, taste", while "receptor" comes from the Latin receptus, the past participle of recipere meaning "to receive".
Function
Taste receptors detect the five elements of taste perception: sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and umami. They do this by binding to specific molecules from food, triggering a signal to the brain that interprets this as a particular taste.
Types
There are several types of taste receptors, including:
- T1R receptors: These receptors are responsible for detecting sweet and umami tastes.
- T2R receptors: These receptors are responsible for detecting bitter tastes.
Related terms
- Gustatory system: The sensory system responsible for the perception of taste.
- Olfactory receptor: A type of receptor in the nose that detects smells, which can also contribute to the perception of taste.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Taste receptor
- Wikipedia's article - Taste receptor
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