8 Questions
What is the primary function of the supporting cells in the taste buds?
To form a capsule around the gustatory cells
What is the name of the hair-like process found in gustatory cells?
Gustatory hair
What is the average lifespan of a taste bud?
~10 days
How many nerve fibers innervate each taste bud?
~50 nerve fibers
What is the primary reason why people with colds or allergies may have impaired taste?
Their olfactory system is not functioning properly
What is the purpose of the basal cells in the taste buds?
To produce supporting cells and gustatory cells
What is the function of the taste pore in the gustatory cells?
To allow substances to come into contact with the gustatory hair
Why is it that much of what we think of as taste is actually smell?
Because the olfactory system can detect substances at much lower concentrations than the gustatory system
Study Notes
Gustatory Sensation
- There are four primary taste sensations: sour, salt, bitter, and sweet.
- The tip of the tongue is sensitive to all four tastes, with a heightened sensitivity to sweet and salty tastes.
- The posterior portion of the tongue is highly sensitive to bitter substances, while the lateral edges are sensitive to sour substances.
Taste Buds
- Taste buds are found on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tongue, buccal mucosa, soft palate, epiglottis, and the walls of the pharynx and larynx.
- A taste bud consists of 40 supporting cells, 5-18 gustatory cells, and basal cells.
- The lifespan of a taste bud is approximately 10 days.
Gustatory Cells
- Gustatory cells are located inside the supporting cells (capsule) and contain a hair-like process called a gustatory hair.
- The gustatory hair projects to the external surface through taste pores, allowing the gustatory cells to make contact with taste stimuli.
Basal Cells
- Basal cells are located at the edge and bottom of the taste buds.
- They produce both supporting and gustatory cells.
Innervation
- Each taste bud is innervated by approximately 50 nerve fibers.
- Each nerve fiber receives input from around 5 taste cells.
Taste Adaptation
- Taste receptors adapt rapidly.
- For gustatory cells to be stimulated, substances must be dissolved in saliva to enter the taste pore.
Olfactory Influence on Taste
- Much of what we perceive as taste is actually smelled, as odors from food pass upward to stimulate the olfactory system.
- Any given concentration of a substance stimulates the olfactory system thousands of times more than it stimulates the gustatory system.
Explore the world of taste sensations, including sour, salt, bitter, and sweet, and learn about the structure and function of taste buds on the tongue, soft palate, and throat.
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