Physiology of Taste and Smell

Question 1

receptors for taste and smell are ______________

Answer 1

receptors for taste and smell are CHEMORECEPTORS

Question 2

sensory receptor cells of taste are present where?

Answer 2

taste buds

Question 3

taste buds consist of what?

Answer 3

sensory receptor cells and support cells arranged like slices of orange

Question 4

what is the lifespan of taste receptor cells?

Answer 4

10 days

Question 5

where are taste buds present?

Answer 5

tongue, palate, epiglottis and pharynx

Question 6

name the 4 types of papillae

Answer 6

filiform
fungiform
vallate
foliate

Question 7

which of the 4 types of papillae do and do not contain taste buds

Answer 7

filiform - do not contain taste buds

fungiform, valalte and follate do contain taste buds

Question 8

what is the word given to a taste provoking chemical?

Answer 8

tastant

Question 9

when a tastant bunds to a receptor, what is produced?

Answer 9

depolarising receptor potential

Question 10

name the 3 cranial nerves that are involved in taste on and around the tongue

Answer 10

VII - anterior 2/3 of tongue

IX - posterior 1/3 of tongue

X - areas other than the tongue

Question 11

name the 5 primary tastes

Answer 11

salty - NaCl
sour - H+
sweet - glucose
bitter - alkalosis
umami (meaty or savoury) - glutamate

Question 12

what is ageusia?

Answer 12

loss of taste function

Question 13

what is hypogeusia?

Answer 13

reduced taste function

Question 14

what is dysgeusia?

Answer 14

distortion of taste function

Question 15

where is olfactory mucosa found?

Answer 15

mucosa in the ceiling of the nasal cavity (dorsal aspect)

Question 16

name the 3 cell types in the olfactory muscosa

Answer 16

olfactory receptor cells
supporting cells
basal cells

Question 17

Each neuron has a thick short ________ and an expanded end called an olfactory ___

Answer 17

Each neuron has a thick short DENDRITE and an expanded end called an olfactory ROD

Question 18

what is anosmia?

Answer 18

inability to smell

Question 19

what is hyposmia? what is this an early sign of?

Answer 19

reduced ability to smell

early sign of Parkinsons’s disease

Question 20

what is dysosmia?

Answer 20

altered sense of smell