Lecture 2 - Gustatory System Flashcards
What are tastants?
Nonvolatile molecules that are soluble in saliva and activate taste receptors
What are the 5 taste modalities and what chemical they taste?
- Salty: Na+
- Sour: H+
- Sweet: sugars
- Umami: glutamate and other AAs
- Bitter: many chemicals
Describe the threshold of taste modalities? Explain
High except for bitter because a lot of bitter chemicals are toxic so should be avoided
Does taste equal flavor?
NOPE
Flavor = taste + smell
What are tastants detected by? Where?
Taste receptors on the tongue, pharynx, epiglottis, upper part of esophagus
Which part of the mouth has the highest concentration of taste receptors?
Tongue
In what type of cells are taste receptors located? 2 names
Taste receptor cells (TRCs) = taste bud cells (TBCs)
What is a taste bud? Where is it located?
Combination of many TRCs on certain papillae
Describe the order from taste receptor to tongue
Taste Receptor ►Taste Receptor Cells ►Taste Bud ►Papillae ► Tongue
What are papillae?
Lingual epithelium protrusions
What are the 4 types of papillae? Which ones have taste buds?
- Circumvillate papillae*
- Foliate papillae*
- Fungiform papillae*
- Filiform papillae
Describe the structure of circumvillate papillae.
Connective tissue core (CT core) with taste buds in the grooves
Where does the name of circumvate papillae come from?
Form a circle and a sort of chevron (V shaped)
What % of taste buds do circumvate pupillae contain?
50%
Where does the name of foliate papillae come from?
Grooves along the lateral aspect of the tongue actually resemble red leaf like structures
Are the foliate papillae named for the shape of their connective tissue cores?
NOPE
What % of taste buds do foliate pupillae contain?
25%
Where does the name of fungiform papillae come from?
Sort of shaped like a mushroom and protrude from surface of the tongue
Where are fungiform pupillae located?
Anterior 2/3rds of the tongue
Where is the highest density of fungiform pupillae on the tongue? Why?
Tip because first part of tongue to taste food
What % of taste buds do fungiform pupillae contain?
25%
Which papillae with taste buds lack DEEP grooves along their sides? Therefore, where are their taste receptors?
Fungiform papillae
Taste receptors on apical region
What papillae comprise the majority of papillae on the tongue?
Filiform papillae
Why are the tongues of cat so rough?
Because their filiform papillae are highly keratinized
What are the 3 basic types of TRCs? Describe the function of each.
- Type I: glial that function in a support role
- Type II: signal transduction
- Type III: signal transduction
How is the cell body of type II TRCs shaped?
Round
What type of taste receptors do Type II TRCs have? What tastants do they taste?
3 types of GPCRs:
- Sweet
- Bitter
- Umami
AND 2 types of ionotropic receptors:
- Salty
- Sour
What type of taste receptors do Type III TRCs have? What tastants do they taste?
2 types of ionotropic receptors:
- Salty
- Sour
How is the cell body of type III TRCs shaped?
Narrow
What kind of receptor is the TRPM5 channel?
Multisensory receptor: can sense:
- Temperature
- IP3
- Ca++
How are taste receptor cells connected to each other?
Tight junctions
What are the 2 domains of TRCs? Describe each.
- Apical domain: exposed to tastants and where the taste receptors are
- Basal domain