Lec 11: Olfaction and Gustation

Question 1

Where are taste buds found

Answer 1

lingual papillae (also on soft palate, cheeks and epiglottis

Question 2

Two types of taste buds on tongue

Answer 2

fungiform papillae (mushroom shaped), small and widly distributed on tongue with greatest conc. towards front and side of tongue. circum(vallate) papillae (dome shaped), larger and less numerous found at back of tongue

Question 3

Supporting (type 1 and 3) cells

Answer 3

contain microvilli, have some taste sensing function

Question 4

Sensory cells (type 2 cells aka taste receptors, gustatory cells)

Answer 4

main taste sensory cells, function as chemoreceptors converting chemical stimulu in food into senspry output through associated afferent nerve

Question 5

basal (type 4) cells

Answer 5

differentiate into new receptor cells every 10 days. no tasting function

Question 6

5 taste categories and where

Answer 6

Type 2 cells: bitter - alkaloids nitrogenous compounds (back of tongue), Sweet - glucose etc (front side of tongue), Umami - savoury (amino acids) (front and side of tongue)
Type 1,3 cells: sour - acidic substances (middle sides of tongue), Salty - sodium or metal ions (front side of tongue)