Taste in Mammals
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Questions and Answers

What type of receptor is responsible for detecting sour taste?

  • Sodium channel
  • GPCR receptor
  • TRP receptor (correct)
  • Umami receptor

    • How many different receptors for bitter taste do humans have?

  • 1
  • 2
  • 5
  • More than 30 (correct)

    • What type of receptor is responsible for detecting sweet and umami tastes?

  • Ion channel
  • TRP receptor
  • GPCR receptor (correct)
  • Sodium channel

    • What happens when an acid or other sour-tasting substance binds to the sour receptor?

    <p>Depolarization occurs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the specific type of receptor responsible for detecting salt taste?

    <p>Sodium channel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of GPCR proteins in the sense of smell?

    <p>They are critical for the sense of smell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Japanese term for the savory taste?

    <p>Umami</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the flavor enhancer commonly used in food?

    <p>Monosodium glutamate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of a taste receptor cell?

    <p>To detect only one type of taste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the location of taste buds on the tongue?

    <p>Scattered in several areas of the tongue and mouth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of papillae on the tongue?

    <p>To house taste buds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the accuracy of 'taste maps' of the tongue?

    <p>Not accurate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the receptor cells in taste buds?

    <p>To recognize only one of the five tastes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a taste cell having a single receptor type?

    <p>It can only detect one of the five tastes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are the taste buds located in the mouth?

    <p>Scattered in several areas of the tongue and mouth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of glutamate in food?

    <p>It adds a savory or umami taste to food</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the result of the reprogramming experiment using a cloned bitter taste receptor?

    <p>It revealed that an individual taste cell expresses a single receptor type</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the discovery of receptor proteins for all five tastes?

    <p>It reveals the mechanism of taste detection in mammals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between the receptors for bitter taste and those for sweet and umami taste?

    <p>The number of receptors for each taste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the common feature of the receptors for sour and umami tastes?

    <p>They are both ion channels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the binding of an acid or other sour-tasting substance to the sour receptor?

    <p>Depolarization of the taste cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the specific type of ion channel involved in the detection of sour taste?

    <p>Assembled TRP proteins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the number of GPCR proteins and the number of receptors for sweet and umami taste?

    <p>One pair of GPCR proteins per receptor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the GPCR proteins in the detection of bitter taste?

    <p>They recognize multiple bitter tastants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of glutamate in foods?

    <p>To impart a savory or umami flavor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the outcome of the reprogramming experiment using a cloned bitter taste receptor?

    <p>The taste cell expressed a single receptor type</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the arrangement of taste buds on the tongue?

    <p>Associated with nipple-shaped projections called papillae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of identifying receptor proteins for all five tastes?

    <p>It reveals the molecular basis of taste perception</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between taste buds and papillae?

    <p>Taste buds are found on the surface of papillae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the accuracy of 'taste maps' of the tongue?

    <p>They are inaccurate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the bitter taste receptors in humans?

    <p>Each receptor can detect multiple bitter tastants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the GPCR proteins in taste buds?

    <p>They recognize and respond to sweet and umami tastants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the mechanism of the sour taste receptor?

    <p>It is a TRP protein that assembles into an ion channel in the plasma membrane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the sour receptor in taste buds?

    <p>It assembles into an ion channel in the plasma membrane.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the specific type of receptor responsible for detecting salt taste?

    <p>Sodium channel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the sour receptors respond to acid or other sour-tasting substances?

    <p>They trigger a change in the ion channel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Taste Receptors

    • G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are required for sweet, umami, and bitter tastes.
    • Humans have one type of sweet receptor and one type of umami receptor, each assembled from a different pair of GPCR proteins.
    • There are more than 30 different receptors for bitter taste, each able to recognize multiple bitter tastants.

    Sour Taste Receptor

    • The receptor for sour tastants belongs to the TRP family and is similar to the capsaicin receptor and other thermoreceptor proteins.
    • In taste buds, the TRP proteins of the sour receptor assemble into an ion channel in the plasma membrane of the taste cell.
    • Binding of an acid or other sour-tasting substance to the receptor triggers a change in the ion channel, resulting in depolarization and activation of a sensory neuron.

    Salt Taste Receptor

    • The taste receptor for salt is a sodium channel.
    • It specifically detects sodium salts, such as NaCl.

    Taste in Mammals

    • Humans and other mammals perceive five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
    • Umami is elicited by the amino acid glutamate, which is found naturally in meat, aged cheese, and other foods.
    • Glutamate is sometimes used as a flavor enhancer in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

    Taste Cells and Taste Buds

    • Taste cells are modified epithelial cells organized into taste buds.
    • Taste buds are scattered in several areas of the tongue and mouth.
    • Most taste buds on the tongue are associated with nipple-shaped projections called papillae.
    • Any region of the tongue with taste buds can detect any of the five types of taste.
    • Researchers have identified the receptor proteins for all five tastes.

    Research and Findings

    • Scientists used a cloned bitter taste receptor to genetically reprogram gustation in a mouse, revealing that an individual taste cell expresses a single receptor type and detects tastants representing only one of the five tastes.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the five tastes perceived by humans and other mammals: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Learn about the role of glutamate in enhancing flavors and the debate among researchers about taste cell receptors.

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