Sense Organs: Organ of Taste

THE ORGAN OF TASTE

In mammals the organ of taste is the tongue. Taste chemoreceptors are grouped on the upper surface of the tongue, on the soft palate and in the epithelium at the back of the mouth. These chemoreceptors are specialized sense cells that synapse with sensory neurones. On the tongue they are found in the taste buds.  Taste buds lie in grooves on the surface of the tongue. Substances have to be in dissolved form to stimulate the taste receptors.

The tongue is sensitive to four primary tastes – sweat, sour, salty and bitter. The back of the tongue is sensitive to bitter taste; the sides to salty and sour stimuli while the tip is sensitive to sweet sensations. The tongue can also detect alkaline taste, texture of food as well as its temperature.

Taste Receptors

Taste buds in the tongue

EVALUATION

1. State the 4 types of sensation the tongue is sensitive to and the sections of the tongue that respond to these sensations.
2. Briefly discuss the organ of taste.