[One of three types of cells in a taste bud - sensory, supporting or basal. The sensory cell has receptors on its apical surface. The receptors are transmembrane proteins which bind to the molecules and ions that give rise to the 5 taste sensations. Although a single taste cell may have representatives of several types of receptor, one type may be more active than the others, but no single taste cell contains receptors for both bitter and sweet tastants. Each taste receptor cell is connected to a sensory neuron leading back to the brain. The supporting cell has microvilli and appears to secrete substances into lumen of taste bud. ( NCI )]
UMLS (NCI) C1180350Taste Bud Cells
Taste-Bud