Chapter 16.3, Problem 3AYLO

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The five primary taste sensations, and sensations other than taste that play a part in flavor.

Introduction:

The taste sense is also referred to as gustation, which begins with the taste buds (about 4000). The taste buds are composed of sensory cells that are involved in chemical stimulation. These taste buds are lemon-shaped group of cells (50 to 150) and include supporting cells, taste cells, and basal cells. The gustatory or taste cells are nearly banana shaped and possess a tuft of microvilli (apical) referred to as taste hairs, works as receptor surfaces for the chemical stimuli (tastants). The supporting cells look like taste cells but does not have a sensory role or synaptic vesicle. On an average, taste cells only survive for seven to ten days. The basal cells are stem cells that undergo multiplication, thereby play an important role in replacing the dead taste cells.