Which type of receptors are responsible for detecting changes in taste?

Chemoreceptors are the type of receptors responsible for detecting changes in taste. They function by responding to chemical substances in the environment. When food or drink interacts with the taste buds on the tongue, certain molecules bind to the chemoreceptors, triggering a signal that the brain interprets as a specific taste, such as sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or umami.

This mechanism is crucial because taste perception relies on the chemical composition of substances, highlighting the role of chemoreceptors in our gustatory system. In contrast, mechanoreceptors detect mechanical pressure or distortion, thermoreceptors respond to temperature changes, and nociceptors are involved in sensing pain, making them unrelated to the process of tasting.