Chapter 6.3: The Chemical Senses Flashcards
What type of cell is a taste receptor?
A modified skin cell
Which of the observations provide evidence that we have several types of taste receptor?
Certain chemical can modify one taste without affecting others
The receptors for sweet, bitter, and umami tastes all resemble which of these?
Metabotropic synaptic receptors
Why is it possible for us to taste a wide variety of chemicals as bitter?
We have 30 or more types of bitter receptors
Why are some people more sensitive than others are to low concentrated taste or smell?
Some people have more taste receptors or odor receptors than others do.
How do we manage to smell a wide variety of chemicals?
We have hundreds of types of olfactory receptors
When a new olfactory receptor forms to replace one that died, does it connect to the same site in the olfactory bulb as the previous receptor? If so, how?
It finds the correct site by chemical attraction
The vomeronasal organ responds to what stimuli?
Pheromones
What is the best-documented example of an effect of pheromones on humans?
Women who spend much time together tend to synchronize their menstrual cycles
What behavioral evidence indicates that synesthesia is real, and not just something that people claim to experience?
People with synesthesia can find 2 among 5s, or a 6 among 8s, faster than usual if they have different synesthesic colors, and slower if they have the same color
