What does chemoreceptor mean?
A chemoreceptor is a specialized biological receptor that responds to chemical substances rather than to light, sound, pressure, or temperature. When an appropriate chemical binds to it, the receptor converts that stimulus into a signal that can be interpreted by the nervous system or another part of the body. Chemoreceptors occur in the taste buds and nasal passages, where they contribute to taste and smell, but they are also found in internal tissues and organs. For example, specialized chemoreceptors in the carotid and aortic bodies monitor oxygen, carbon dioxide, and blood acidity, helping the body adjust its breathing. The term is chiefly scientific and is used in discussions of sensory systems, physiology, medicine, and animal behavior. It is also useful in describing how organisms detect dissolved chemicals in their surroundings, including food, mates, predators, and other members of their species.
nounA specialized sensory receptor that detects chemical stimuli and converts them into signals used by the body. In animals, chemoreceptors are involved in functions such as taste, smell, and monitoring blood gases, acidity, and other internal conditions.
- A sensory receptor that detects chemical stimuli and transmits the resulting information as a biological signal.
"The chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies alert the nervous system when oxygen levels fall or carbon dioxide levels rise."
"Genetic mutations can impair the chemoreceptors responsible for detecting sweet and bitter tastes."
"Aquatic animals use chemoreceptors to locate food and recognize chemical cues in their environment."
The standard plural is used when referring to multiple receptor structures or to a class of receptors.
"The receptors in the nasal epithelium include chemoreceptors that respond to airborne odorants."
Your tongue is a chemical sensor, but your body is full of quieter chemists too.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does chemoreceptor come from?
Chemoreceptor is a modern compound formed from the combining form “chemo-,” associated with chemistry, and “receptor,” a term derived from Latin recipere, meaning “to receive” or “to take back.” The first element is Greek in origin through the history of chemistry, while the second continues the Latin tradition of naming an agent or structure that receives. Related words include chemistry and chemical from the first element and reception from the same Latin root as receptor.
Related word forms
How chemoreceptor is actually used
This is a technical term used primarily in biology, physiology, medicine, and related fields. It is not normally used in everyday conversation, and the spelling without a final “e” is standard in both British and American English.
Easily confused with chemoreceptor
A receptor is any structure that receives and responds to a signal, whereas a chemoreceptor is specifically a receptor that responds to chemical stimuli.