transducer

/trænsˈdusər/
noun
  1. A device that converts one form of energy or signal into another.
    • Pressure transducers in the pipeline help monitor the flow of gas.
    • A microphone is a transducer that changes sound waves into electrical signals.
    • The ultrasound machine uses a transducer to send and receive sound waves.
  2. In biology, a molecule or structure that converts a stimulus into a cellular response.
    • The photoreceptor in the eye is a natural transducer of light.
    • Receptor proteins act as transducers, turning chemical signals into cell activity.
    • Scientists identified a new transducer involved in the sense of touch.