Final answer:
Gustatory receptor cells within taste buds on the tongue act as sensory receptors for taste, detecting different taste sensations and triggering neuron signals to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell type that acts as the sensory receptor for taste is known as the gustatory receptor cell. These are specialized cells found within taste buds on the tongue, which are structured in small bumps called papillae. Taste buds are sensitive to various chemicals in food and drink, which, when dissolved in saliva, stimulate the gustatory cells and cause them to release neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters then activate sensory neurons connected to the facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves, thus sending taste information to the brain for processing.
Each taste bud can contain 50-100 taste cells that respond to all five basic taste sensations: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. When these cells are stimulated, they trigger action potentials in the sensory neurons, which is how the brain identifies different tastes.
The gustatory cells regularly renew themselves, with new ones being differentiated from basal cells. These basal cells do not directly participate in taste sensation but serve as precursors to the taste receptor cells.