Where is taste perceived in the brain

These macroscopic structures are papillae, and all over their surfaces are the taste buds, which are in turn made up of several types of cells, including the taste sensory cells. Although an individual taste bud cannot be seen without a microscope Figure 1, right , it looks something like a balloon with a small opening at the tongue surface: this is the taste pore.

Into the pore come food and drink molecules, fitting into membrane receptors located on small finger-like protrusions called microvilli at the tops of taste sensory cells. The microvilli increase the surface area of the cell see Figure 2. Figure 1 Image courtesy of Biodidac. Figure 2. A taste sensory cell and the five types of taste receptors. Flavor molecules fit into receptors on the microvilli at the top of the cell, causing electrical changes that release transmitter onto the nerve ending at the bottom of the cell.

The nerve carries taste messages to the brain. See text for details on receptor types. Figure courtesy of Dr. Tim Jacob , Cardiff University, Wales. Kandel, E. Principles of Neural Science. Fourth ed. Shepherd, G. Neurobiology, Third ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. By reaching Project Benchmarks for Science Literacy, students will also fulfill many of the National Science Education Standards and individual state standards for understanding the content and applying the methods of science.

Epub Nov PMID: Site Menu Home. Search Health Topics. Search the NIH Guide. NIH Research Matters. December 7, How taste is perceived in the brain. The results show that responses to sweet and bitter tastes are hardwired into the brain. Charles S. Zuker, Ph. Taste In the Brain. By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program.

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