8D - Gustatory perception

Question 1

From mouth to brain

Answer 1

Taste Receptors → sensory receptors

Taste Buds → contain taste receptors

Papillae → small bumps that contain taste buds

Tastants → dissolved chemical molecules that can be tasted

Question 2

Why is taste perception important to our health and survival?

Answer 2

To protect us from eating things that are poisonous and to ensure we have an appetite for the calories and nutrients we need.

Question 3

Gustatory perception definition

Answer 3

the process of meaningfully interpreting sensations to generate taste
- becoming consciously aware of flavour

Question 4

Biological factors that influence taste

Answer 4

• Age
• Genetics

Question 5

Taste buds definition

Answer 5

taste buds are located around the papillae (raised sections) on the tongue and contain taste receptors

Question 6

Taste sensation process

Answer 6

• Chemical molecules from food combine with our saliva on our tongue to stimulate the taste receptors within our taste buds
• Taste receptors then convert the signal into a format that can be processed by the brain (an electrochemical signal)
• The signal is then sent to the gustatory cortex in the frontal lobes of the brain where it is processed

Question 7

Taste receptors can detect 5 different modalities of taste:

Answer 7

Sweet: usually caused by sugar and its derivatives such as fructose or lactose, as well as artificial sweeteners such as saccharine

Sour: mostly acidic solutions

Salty: this is produced by salts containing sodium, such as sodium chloride (table salt) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Mineral salts like the salts of potassium or magnesium can also cause a sensation of saltiness

Bitter: bitter taste is produced by a variety of different substances and is generally identified as undesirable or unpalatable

Umami (savoury): a rich, ‘mouth-filling’ taste in protein-based foods due to the presence of glutamate

Question 8

Why does ageing affect taste?

Answer 8

• The number of tastebuds can decrease
• The rate that tastebuds can regenerate slows (especially after injury)
• The mouth produces less saliva
• Sense of smell can also diminish

Question 9

How do genetics affect taste?

Answer 9

• The genetic make-up of individuals impacts the way they receive taste information
• Genes can affect the number of tastebuds that we have
• Certain genetic variations can account for specific preferences in flavour

Question 10

Perceptual set and taste

Answer 10

Past experiences with food can set expectations of what similar foods will taste like in the future

Context in which a food occurs can affect the taste

Emotional state can also influence our taste preference

• Shape (square donut)
• Colour (green = not ripe/sour)
• Packaging (colour + visual information, brand or offbrand)

Question 11

Social factors that affect taste

Answer 11

We are exposed to cultural differences from birth and they are reflected in our perceptual judgments of what tastes good and what tastes bad
- Generally, we like and prefer tastes we grow up with

Question 12

Food culture definition

Answer 12

the common norms around eating, including flavour, preferences, eating patterns, beliefs and values about food