Gustation Flashcards: Sense of Taste

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Questions and Answers

What does the term 'Otorhinolaryngology' refer to?

Science of ears, nose, and throat (correct)

Branch of psychology

Study of human behavior

Study of the heart

What is Gustation?

The sense of taste.

Which of the following are considered primary tastes?

Sour (correct)

Bitter (correct)

Spicy

Sweet (correct)

What is Umami described as?

Meaty or savory. Signup and view all the answers

All flavors are derived solely from the five primary tastes.

False Signup and view all the answers

What stimulates olfactory receptors?

Odors from food. Signup and view all the answers

Where are taste buds located?

On the tongue, roof of the mouth, pharynx, and epiglottis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of papillae on the tongue?

To provide a rough texture and house taste buds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Vallate papillae?

Elevations forming an inverted V shape at the back of the tongue. Signup and view all the answers

What are fungiform papillae?

Mushroom-shaped elevations scattered over the surface of the tongue. Signup and view all the answers

What do filiform papillae do?

Contain touch receptors but no taste buds. Signup and view all the answers

What types of cells are found in taste buds?

Supporting cells, gustatory receptor cells, basal stem cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of gustatory hairs?

To project from gustatory receptor cells to the taste pore. Signup and view all the answers

What triggers nerve impulses in taste perception?

Binding of neurotransmitter molecules to receptors on sensory neurons. Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerves are involved in taste?

Facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus (X). Signup and view all the answers

Where do taste signals project after the medulla oblongata?

To the limbic system and hypothalamus. Signup and view all the answers

What is taste aversion?

The phenomenon of avoiding food that upsets the digestive system. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Otorhinolaryngology

Specialty focused on the ears, nose, throat, and their disorders.

Gustation

Refers to the sense of taste.

Primary Tastes

The five primary tastes include sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami.

Umami

A taste described as "meaty" or "savory," recognized as one of the primary tastes.

Flavor Perception

Flavor is a combination of the five primary tastes along with olfactory (smell) and tactile (touch) sensations.

Olfactory Receptors

Located in the nasal cavity; they are stimulated by food odors that travel from the mouth.

Taste Buds

Receptors for taste sensations; the number decreases with age.
Young adults have nearly 10,000 taste buds primarily on the tongue, and also found in the roof of the mouth, pharynx, and epiglottis.

Papillae

Taste buds are situated in surface elevations on the tongue, contributing to its texture.

Vallate Papillae

Form an inverted V-shaped row at the back of the tongue, housing taste buds.

Fungiform Papillae

Mushroom-shaped structures scattered across the tongue surface that contain taste buds.

Filiform Papillae

Elevations with touch receptors but lacking taste buds, covering the tongue's entire surface.

Structure of Taste Buds

Each taste bud is an oval body made up of three types of epithelial cells.

Types of Epithelial Cells in Taste Buds

Supporting cells help structure the taste bud and surround gustatory receptor cells.
Gustatory receptor cells are specialized for taste perception and have a lifespan of about 10 days, replaced by basal cells.
Basal cells function as stem cells, continuously regenerating the supporting and gustatory receptor cells.

Gustatory Hair

A projection from each gustatory receptor cell that extends through the taste pore to interact with tastants.

Taste Pore

An opening in the taste bud allowing tastants to enter and interact with gustatory cells.

Tastants

Chemicals that activate gustatory receptor cells upon dissolving in saliva and entering taste pores.

Nerve Impulses

Result from taste signal transduction; neurotransmitters release from gustatory receptor cells stimulate action potentials in sensory neurons.

Gustatory Pathway

First-order sensory neurons for taste are innervated by three cranial nerves: Facial (VII), Glossopharyngeal (IX), and Vagus (X).

Central Processing of Taste

Signals from taste buds travel to the medulla oblongata, then to the limbic system and hypothalamus, and also to the thalamus for further processing.

Primary Gustatory Area

Located in the parietal lobe; this area receives taste signals from the thalamus, leading to the conscious perception of taste.

Taste Aversion

A learned response where individuals and animals develop an aversion to foods that cause digestive discomfort.

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Description

Explore the essential concepts related to the sense of taste through these flashcards. From the terminology of gustation to the primary tastes such as sour, sweet, and umami, this quiz helps reinforce your understanding of this fascinating sensory system.