key term - Tastants

Definition

Tastants are chemical compounds that activate taste receptor cells on the tongue. They are responsible for the perception of taste.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tastants bind to specific receptors on taste buds which then send signals to the brain.
2. Common tastants include sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami substances.
3. Tastants must be dissolved in saliva to interact with taste receptors effectively.
4. Different types of taste receptor cells are specialized for different tastants.
5. The perception of taste can be influenced by other sensory inputs such as smell.

Review Questions

Related terms

Taste Buds: Clusters of cells on the tongue that contain taste receptor cells

Taste Receptor Cells: Specialized cells within taste buds that detect tastants

Umami: A category of tastant associated with a savory flavor, often linked to glutamate