chemoreceptor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Scientific/Academic
Quick answer
What does “chemoreceptor” mean?
A specialized sensory cell or organ that responds to chemical stimuli.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specialized sensory cell or organ that responds to chemical stimuli.
In biology and physiology, a receptor that detects specific chemical compounds in the environment (like taste buds) or within the body (like those sensing blood pH).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is identically used in scientific contexts.
Connotations
Neutral, technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general English; exclusive to specialised biological, medical, and physiological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “chemoreceptor” in a Sentence
The [noun] contains chemoreceptors that detect [chemical].[Organism] uses chemoreceptors to sense [stimulus].Chemoreceptors in the [body part] respond to changes in [chemical compound].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chemoreceptor” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- chemoreceptive neurons
- chemoreceptor activation
American English
- chemoreceptive response
- chemoreceptor stimulation
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in physiology, neurobiology, and some medical fields (e.g., respiratory physiology).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used when explaining a specific biological concept to a layperson.
Technical
The primary context. Used in research papers, textbooks, and technical discussions about sensory systems, homeostasis, and neurophysiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chemoreceptor”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chemoreceptor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chemoreceptor”
- Using 'chemoreceptor' for man-made electronic sensors.
- Misspelling as 'chemo receptor' (should be one word or hyphenated: chemo-receptor).
- Confusing it with 'chemokine receptor' (a different, immunology-specific term).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A taste bud is a specific type of chemoreceptor. 'Chemoreceptor' is the broader category; taste buds are chemoreceptors specialised for gustation.
No, it is strictly a biological/physiological term. For artificial devices, use terms like 'chemical sensor' or 'chemosensor'.
A chemoreceptor detects specific chemical substances, while an osmoreceptor detects changes in the osmotic pressure (solute concentration) of body fluids.
It is a standard, essential term in specific medical fields like respiratory medicine, neurology, and physiology, but not a high-frequency general medical term.
A specialized sensory cell or organ that responds to chemical stimuli.
Chemoreceptor is usually scientific/academic in register.
Chemoreceptor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkiːməʊrɪˈseptə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkimoʊrəˈseptər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHEMO' (chemical) + 'RECEPTOR' (something that receives) = a receiver of chemical signals.
Conceptual Metaphor
A biological 'sniffer' or 'taster'; a sentinel for chemical changes.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary function of a chemoreceptor?