Smell and Taste

Question 1

Describe the structure of a taste bud.

Answer 1

Sensory cells topped with microvilli, support cells are sandwiched either side.

Question 2

How often are sensory cells replaced in a taste bud?

Answer 2

Every 10 days

Question 3

What are the four types of papillae?

Answer 3

Fungiform Filliform Vallale Foliate

Question 4

Of the four papillae which ones contain the most taste buds?

Answer 4

Fungiform Vallale Foliate

Question 5

What nerve supplies taste for the anterior 2/3rds of the tongue?

Answer 5

Chordi tympani - Branch of the VII facial nerve

Question 6

What nerve supplies taste for the posterior 1/3 of the tongue?

Answer 6

Glossopharyngeal CN IX

Question 7

What are the five primary tastes?

Answer 7

Bitter 
Sour 
Salty 
Sweet
Umami

Question 8

What is the umami flavour?

Answer 8

Meaty/savoury

Question 9

What is Ageusia?

Answer 9

Loss of taste function

Question 10

List some causes of ageusia?

Answer 10

Never damage
Irradiation
Smoking

Question 11

What is hypogeusia?

Answer 11

Reduced taste

Question 12

List some causes of hypogeusia

Answer 12

Platinum based chemotherapy

Question 13

What is pysgeusia?

Answer 13

Distortion of taste

Question 14

List some causes of pysgeusia

Answer 14

Glossitis
Tooth decay
Metronidazole

Question 15

What nerve supplies the olfactory cells within the nose?

Answer 15

Olfactory nerve

Question 16

What cranial nerve is the olfactory?

Answer 16

CN I

Question 17

What cells make up the olfactory region of the nose?

Answer 17

Receptor cells
Support cells
Basal cells

Question 18

What is the function of the basal cells?

Answer 18

Secret mucus

Question 19

What is special about the olfactory receptor cells?

Answer 19

They have the only renewable afferent neurones, the neurones can grow back once damaged.

Question 20

Describe a olfactory receptor cell

Answer 20

Extended olfactory rod with cilia on the end.

Question 21

How does sniffing increase your ability to detect scents?

Answer 21

Draws air and the odorants up to the olfactory cells.

Question 22

In order to be detected what do odourants need to be?

Answer 22

Volatile and with a high enough concentration to be detected.