What type of receptor responds to chemical stimuli in taste?

Chemoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors that are sensitive to chemical stimuli, making them essential for the sense of taste. In the context of taste, these receptors detect various chemicals in food and beverages that stimulate the taste buds on the tongue. When these chemicals bind to the chemoreceptors, they trigger a series of cellular responses that ultimately result in the perception of different tastes, such as sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.

The other types of receptors are not involved in the detection of taste. Mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical pressure or distortion, such as touch or vibration. Thermoreceptors are responsible for sensing temperature changes. Photoreceptors are involved in detecting light, which is essential for vision. Therefore, in the context of taste, chemoreceptors are the correct answer as they play a crucial role in interpreting chemical signals as flavor.