Chapter 7: Taste Perception Flashcards
What is perceptual set?
The predisposition to taste something in a particular way or to select only certain parts of the taste to attend to.
Eg. Disliking a food because you got sick after eating it.
What are taste receptors (gustatory cells)?
Sensory receptors, within the taste buds, which detect the chemical molecules that enable taste.
What are taste buds?
Sensory organs found on the tongue within papillae which allow you to experience sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savory tastes.
What are papillae?
Tiny bumps on the surface of the tongue which contain taste buds and help to grip food while your teeth are chewing.
What are gustatory hairs?
Fine hairs which connect the taste pores to the taste receptors.
What are tastants?
The dissolved chemical molecules that can be tasted from food.
Name the 5 tastes:
- Sweet
- Sour
- Salty
- Bitter
- Umami/savory
What causes a sweet taste?
Usually sugar and its by-products fructose or lactose, as well as artificial sweeteners.
What causes a sour taste?
Mostly acidic solutions such as lemon juice, lime juice, and vinegar.
What causes a salty taste.
Food containing any type of salt.
What causes bitter a taste?
A variety of different substances and generally idientified as undesirable.
What causes a umami (savory) taste?
Glutamate in protein-based foods.
