Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
1st Edition
ISBN: 9781938168130
Author: Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark Womble
Publisher: OpenStax College
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 14, Problem 1ILQ

Watch this video (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/DanielleReed) to learn about Dr. Danielle Reed of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, PA, who became interested in science at an early age because of her sensory experiences. She recognized that her sense of taste was unique compared with other people she knew. Now, she studies the genetic differences between people and their sensitivities to taste stimuli. In the video, there is a brief image of a person sticking out their tongue, which has been covered with a colored dye. This is how Dr. Reed is able to visualize and count papillae on the surface of the tongue. People fall into two large groups known as “tasters” and “non-tasters” on the basis of the density of papillae on their tongue, which also indicates the number of taste buds. Non-tasters can taste food, but they are not as sensitive to certain tastes, such as bitterness. Dr. Reed discovered that she is a non-taster, which explains why she perceived bitterness differently than other people she knew. Are you very sensitive to tastes? Can you see any similarities among the members of your family?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To analyze:

Whether I am sensitive to taste and look for similarities among my family members.

Introduction:

The people sensitive taste possess more taste buds on their tongue compared to insensitive people. The sense of bitterness is one parameter that identifies one as a taste sensitive people.

Explanation of Solution

The taste buds are spread throughout the tongue surface. However, they are more concentrated on the posterior end of the tongue. This region is specific to bitter taste. Thus people with a higher density of taste buds are more sensitive to bitter taste. They can identify this taste more efficiently and quickly than others. Moreover, the glossopharyngeal and facial nerves carry stimuli of taste from two-thirds of the anterior surface of the tongue. The vagus nerve innervates the posterior end of the tongue sensitive to bitterness. Thus this difference in stimuli transmission to the brain specifically identifies the bitter taste and makes some people sensitive to this taste.

I am not sensitive to taste as bitter substances are equally palatable for me as other tastes. Most of my family members share this trait with me.

Conclusion

Bitterness sensitivity is one parameter to identify someone as sensitive to taste. This is due to presence of more number of taste buds on the anterior end of the tongue corresponding to bitter taste stimuli.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Now use the words in Word Bank 2 to complete the tables to describe the sensory system in more detail. All words will be used and some may be used more than once. The first column of “Special Senses” is filled in as an example.
From a biological perspective, how do our senses monitor our body's position and movement? Discuss factors which may influence our vestibular senses. Include a relevant example. Please include references.
Watch this video (Links to an external site.) to learn more about a transverse section through the brain that depicts the visual pathway from the eye to the occipital cortex. The first half of the pathway is the projection from the RGCs through the optic nerve to the lateral geniculate nucleus in the thalamus on either side. This first fiber in the pathway synapses on a thalamic cell that then projects to the visual cortex in the occipital lobe where “seeing,” or visual perception, takes place. This video gives an abbreviated overview of the visual system by concentrating on the pathway from the eyes to the occipital lobe. Specialized cells in the retina called ganglion cells convert the light rays into ________________.

Chapter 14 Solutions

Anatomy & Physiology

Additional Science Textbook Solutions

Find more solutions based on key concepts
Define histology.

Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology Plus Mastering A&P with eText - Access Card Package (10th Edition) (New A&P Titles by Ric Martini and Judi Nath)

Define histology.

Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168130
Author:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark Womble
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...
Biology
ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...
Biology
ISBN:9781305073951
Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Body Structures & Functions
Biology
ISBN:9781285695495
Author:Scott
Publisher:Cengage
The Sensorimotor System and Human Reflexes; Author: Professor Dave Explains;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0PEXquyhA4;License: Standard youtube license