The Chemical Senses

Question 1

Recall the major anatomical structures of the nose and upper gastrointestinal tract involved in taste and smell.

Answer 1

Lingual papillae on the tongue contain taste buds

Taste buds - groups of taste cells

Tongue, cheeks, soft palate

Nasal cavity - the primary site for detecting odours. It is lined with olfactory epithelium, a specialised tissue that contains olfactory receptor cells

Olfactory epithelium (PNS) - olfactory receptor cells are specialised cells that detect odours. They are located within the olfactory epithelium and send signals to the brain via the olfactory nerve

Olfactory bulb (CNS) - a specialised structure in the brain that receives input from the olfactory nerve. It is responsible for processing odour information and transmitting it to other parts of the brain for further processing

Olfactory cortex (CNS)

Question 2

Recall the 5 basic tastes and the class of receptor that is used to detect them

Answer 2

Salty - Ion channels
Sour - Ion channels
Sweet - G-protein coupled receptor
Bitter - G-protein coupled receptor
Umami - G-protein coupled receptor