1. Sense of Taste
A & P

2. Taste Buds Special organs of taste
~10,000 taste buds primarily located on the tongue associated with tiny elevations called papillae
~1,000 taste buds are scattered on the roof of the mouth and walls of the throat

3. Taste Receptors
Each taste bud contains taste cells (receptors)-replaced every 3 days
Taste bud also contains epithelial support cells
Taste pore -spherical opening on the free surface of the taste bud
Taste hairs -tiny projections extend from outer ends of the taste cells and extend from the taste pore
Interwoven with a network of nerve fibers

4. Salivary glands provide a watery fluid to dissolve food
Food molecules bind to specific receptors and generate sensory impulses on nearby nerve fibers
Pattern of receptors is interpreted as a particular taste sensation
Taste cells appear microscopically alike but are each sensitive to a particular chemical stimulus

5. Taste Sensations Sweet Sour Salty Bitter
Some investigators recognize others-alkaline, metallic, umami (MSG)
Flavors results from a combination of the sensations, smells, textures, and for some foods pain and heat receptors

6. Taste Nerve Pathways
Impulses travel from taste receptors on fibers of the facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves into the medulla oblongatathalamusgustatory complex located in the parietal lobe