Physiology of Taste Flashcards
What is the chemical word for taste?
gustation
What are the receptors for taste?
chemoreceptors - influence the flow of digestive juice
What are packaged into taste buds?
sensory receptor cells
What is the lifespan of tase receptor cells?
10days
What are taste receptor cells replaced by?
basal cells
Where are taste buds present?
tongue
epiglottis
palate
pharynx
Where do the majority of taste buds sit?
papillae of the tongue
What type of papillae do not have taste buds?
filliform
What type of papillae do have taste buds?
follate
vallate
fungiform
What is the process of gustation?
binding of the tastant to receptor cells alters the cells ionic channels and produces a depolarising receptor potential which initiates an action potential in afferent nerve fibres
signals are conveyed to the cranial nerves in the brainstem, then thalamus, then cortical gustatory areas
What supplies taste to the anterior 2/3rds of the tongue?
chorda tympani
What supplies taste to the posterior 1/3rds of the tongue?
glossopharyngeal nerve
What supplies taste sensation to other areas e.g. epiglottis and pharynx?
vagus nerve
What are the primary 5 tastes and what are they stimulated by?
Salty - chemical salts Sour - acids which contain free hydrogen ions Sweet - configuration of glucose Bitter - diverse group of tasteants Umami - amino acids
What is Ageusia?
loss of taste function
