The Human Body Project: Gustatory System

By: Shiver, Traci Sinha, Somya Tran, Ai-nhi

A. Structure

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▫ Mainly located in the mouth (on the tongue) The surface of the tongue consists of papillae bumps on the tongue 4 types of papillae:     Filiform-scattered on surface with a bumpy appearance, but no taste function.

Fungiform-shaped like mushrooms and distributed mostly on the edges.

Foliate-folds of tissue located in the back and sides.

Circumvallate-shaped in an inverted V in the back.

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Located within the papillae are taste buds clusters of 50-100 taste [receptor] cells.

There are about 2,000-5,000 taste buds within the tongue.

4. Taste cells are chemoreceptors that detect chemical substances.

 Like the basic 5: ▫ Sweet ▫ Sour ▫ Bitter ▫ Salty ▫ Umami

Function

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• The gustatory system detects the various flavors of different substances, and then a taste cell transfers the information to the brain through an electrical signal.

The molecule is identified into 5 main flavors. Other flavors are just combinations of the main.

3. A sensory transduction identifies the compound present, each taste receptor has a different transduction.

• Bitter, sweet, and umami are detected by G protein coupled receptors.

• Salty and sour are detected by ion channels.

Ageusia

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Ageusia is a disease when the tongue loses the ability to detect certain tastes.

A leading cause for Ageusia is tissue damage to the nerves that support the tongue. If the disease isn’t too severe, it may be cured taking specific medications.

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10 Facts About the Gustatory System

#1-5 The gustatory system is the sensory system for taste.

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The gustatory system works in combination with the olfactory system.

There are four primary tastes recognized in the gustatory system, sweet, sour, salty, and bitter; also know as the four basic chemical substances.

There are different regions of the tongue where certain primary tastes are sensed.

The tip of the tongue is used to taste sweetness, the bottom sides of the tongue are used to taste saltiness, the upper sides of the tongue taste sourness, and the back of the tongue tastes bitterness.

10 Facts About the Gustatory System

#5-10 5. Acids and hydrogen ions activate sour taste receptors 6. There are between 2,000 and 5,000 taste buds on a tongue 7. A taste bud consists of 50-100 taste cells.

8. Every taste cell can sense all flavors but is usually more accustomed to tasting one.

9. A taste bud is stimulated when food molecules bind to taste cells, then the taste cells send electrical signals to the brain to be processed.

10. The surface of the tongue consists of papillae-bumps on the tongue

Bibliography

Carlton, Alan, Riccardo Accolla, and Sidney Simon. "Trends in Neurosciences Gustatory System." Cell. Elsevier Ltd, 20 May 2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. .

T H E E N D

King, Murphy. "Biology Department: Biology of the Gustatory System." Biology of the Gustatory System. Welsh and Torivc Company, 2006. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. .

Kinnamon, John C. The Gustatory System. New York, NY: Wiley-Liss, 1993. Print.Mann Ph.D, Michael D. "Taste and Smell." Michaeldmann.net. Webmaster, 17 July 2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. .

Raven, Peter H. "Chapter 41." Holt California Biology. By George B. Johnson. Austin: Rinehart and Winston, 2007. 943-60.