Chapter 17 Flashcards
What is gustation?
Taste
Gustation provides information about foods and liquids consumed.
Where are gustatory epithelial cells found?
In taste buds
Gustatory epithelial cells are also distributed on the superior surface of the tongue and portions of the pharynx and larynx.
What are lingual papillae?
Epithelial projections on the surface of the tongue
They are associated with gustatory epithelial cells.
What is the function of filiform papillae?
Provide friction to move food around the mouth
Filiform papillae do not contain taste buds.
How many taste buds do fungiform papillae contain?
About five taste buds each
Fungiform papillae are one of the types of lingual papillae.
How many taste buds can vallate papillae contain?
As many as 100 taste buds each
Vallate papillae are the largest type of lingual papillae.
What are foliate papillae?
Lingual papillae that have taste buds
They are located on the sides of the tongue.
What do taste buds contain?
Basal epithelial cells and gustatory epithelial cells
They extend microvilli (taste hairs) through the taste pore.
How long do gustatory epithelial cells survive before replacement?
About 10 days
This is a part of the natural lifecycle of taste buds.
Which cranial nerves innervate taste buds?
Cranial nerves that synapse in the solitary nucleus of the medulla oblongata
This pathway is essential for taste sensation.
Where does taste information travel after the solitary nucleus?
To the thalamus and gustatory cortex of the insula
This is part of the central processing of taste information.
Fill in the blank: Gustatory discrimination involves _______.
[key learning term]
This term refers to the ability to distinguish between different tastes.
What cranial nerves are involved in taste sensation?
Cranial nerves that synapse in the solitary nucleus of the medulla oblongata
These cranial nerves include the facial nerve (VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), and vagus nerve (X)
Where does taste information travel after the solitary nucleus?
Thalamus and gustatory cortex of the insula
The insula is involved in processing taste information.
What are the four primary taste sensations?
- Sweet
- Salty
- Sour
- Bitter
These sensations are fundamental to human taste perception.
What are the two additional taste sensations beyond the primary ones?
- Umami
- Water
Umami is the savory taste associated with glutamate, while water is detected by specific receptors in the pharynx.
What is umami?
A pleasant, savory taste imparted by glutamate
It is characteristic of broths and certain cooked foods.
How does taste sensitivity vary among individuals?
Differs significantly among individuals
Many conditions related to taste sensitivity are inherited.
What is an example of inherited taste sensitivity?
Sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC)
Some individuals can taste PTC while others cannot, showcasing genetic variation.