Final answer:
Taste receptors located in the roof of the mouth and linings of the cheeks are part of the gustatory system, housed within taste buds on various papillae on the tongue. They are chemical-sensitive cells that initiate a neural response leading to taste perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
Receptors for taste can be found scattered in the roof of the mouth and the linings of the cheeks. These receptors are a part of the gustatory system that allows us to detect and perceive different flavors. The tongue is covered with small bumps known as papillae, which contain taste buds. These taste buds house specialized gustatory receptor cells that are sensitive to chemical stimuli dissolved in the saliva. When food or drink is ingested, these chemicals interact with the taste receptor cells, triggering a response. The sensory neurons, which are part of the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves, are then activated.
Different types of papillae are found in various regions of the tongue; they include circumvallate, foliate, filiform, and fungiform papillae. Moreover, certain chemoreceptors also exist in the nasal passages, essential for the sense of smell, contributing to the overall flavor perception. These receptor cells work by releasing neurotransmitters based on the chemicals in the food, activating sensory neurons that convey information to the central nervous system (CNS) for taste perception.