Biological Systems MCAT Practice Exam

{$}What type of receptor is involved in the sense of taste and smell?

1. Mechanoreceptors

2. Proprioceptors

3. Chemoreceptors

4. Photoreceptors

The correct answer is: Chemoreceptors

Chemoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that respond to chemical stimuli, making them crucial for the senses of taste and smell. In the context of taste, these receptors are located on taste buds and detect specific chemicals in food, which are interpreted as different flavors. Similarly, in the sense of smell, chemoreceptors are found in the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity and are responsible for detecting airborne chemicals, leading to the perception of different odors. In contrast, mechanoreceptors are sensitive to mechanical pressures or distortions, such as touch and sound; proprioceptors provide information about body position and movement; and photoreceptors are responsible for detecting light in the eyes. Each of these receptor types has distinct functions that do not relate to the chemical detection required for taste and smell, highlighting the unique role of chemoreceptors in these senses.