The word "chemoreceptor" is spelled with a "ch" sound at the beginning, represented phonetically by the IPA symbol /tʃ/. The rest of the word follows standard English pronunciation rules, with each letter representing a corresponding sound. The "o" is pronounced as a short "oh" sound (/ɒ/), while the "e" is pronounced as a long "ee" sound (/iː/). The word refers to sensory receptors that detect chemical stimuli, and is commonly used in the fields of physiology and biology.
A chemoreceptor refers to a specialized sensory cell or organ within the body that responds to changes in the chemical composition of the surrounding environment, specifically detecting and transducing chemical stimuli into electrical signals. These receptors are responsible for the perception and detection of various chemicals, including gases, solutes, and volatile compounds in the internal or external environment of an organism.
Chemoreceptors are primarily found in organisms across different kingdoms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. In animals, they play a vital role in sensing and responding to the presence of specific chemicals in the environment, allowing for the detection of changes in pH, oxygen levels, temperature, and various other chemical stimuli.
In humans, chemoreceptors are present in different organs and tissues, such as the olfactory system, which is responsible for our sense of smell, and the taste buds on our tongue, which allow us to perceive different tastes and flavors. Additionally, they are found in regions like the carotid bodies in the carotid arteries and the aortic bodies in the aorta, where they monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood and play a crucial role in regulating respiration.
Overall, chemoreceptors serve as essential components of an organism's sensory system, enabling the detection and interpretation of chemical cues that are vital for survival, adaptation, and maintaining homeostasis in various biological processes.
Chemoceptor.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "chemoreceptor" is derived from two Greek roots: "chemo" and "receptor".
The term "chemo" (χημεία in Greek) originates from the word "khēmeia" (χημεία), which refers to alchemy or the study of chemicals. It is derived from "khumeia" (χυμεία), meaning "fluids" or "juices".
The term "receptor" (ϵἰσπάσσω in Greek) comes from the word "receptor" (recipio) in Latin, which means "to receive". It was adopted into English from Latin during the 17th century to describe a sensory organ or cell that can receive and respond to stimuli.