Which taste sense is strongest on the sides of the tongue?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: The prompt asks, 'Which taste sense is strongest on the sides of the tongue?'

Notes about the options: The provided data includes an answer field indicating 'Sour' as the correct answer, but the answer_options array is empty, so we do not have the listed choices to analyze individually. I will still explain the concept and why sour is considered strongest on the sides of the tongue.

Exploration of the taste map concept: The classic tongue map divides taste sensitivity by region, with sweet at the tip, bitter at the back, and sour along the sides. This distribution reflects the distribution of taste receptor cells (taste buds) across different regions of the tongue and how signals from these regions are processed. Sour sensations arise mainly from acids (e.g., citric or sour-tasting substances) and involve proton (H+) ion channels that detect acidity. The lateral regions of the tongue contain taste buds that are particularly responsive to sour compounds, making sour the strongest taste sensation perceived along the sides.

Why this understanding makes sense biologically: Taste buds are clustered in bumps called papillae, and their density and type vary across the tongue. The sides’ abundance of taste buds that respond to acidity (sour) explains the heightened sensitivity in that region. In contrast, other tastes (like sweet or bitter) are associated with different regions or more diffuse receptor distributions and are not as strongly localized to the sides.

Why the answer 'Sour' is consistent with the physiology: Sour taste signaling is tied to detecting acidity, and the side regions of the tongue are particularly tuned to respond to acidic compounds, producing the strongest sour perception there. The lack of listed options prevents more granular comparison, but the main factual takeaway is that sour is the strongest taste sensation along the sides of the tongue.

If options were available, one would expect choices such as:
- Sour
- Sweet
- Bitter
- Salty
And the explanation would note that sour is the dominant side-located taste due to the regional distribution of sour-sensing taste buds and their neural pathways.

Summary: Based on gustatory biology, the sides of the tongue are most sensitive to sour tastes, which corresponds with the commonly cited idea that sour is strongest along the lateral regions of the tongue.

PSYCH N110-LEC-002 Chapter Assignment 3

Which taste sense is strongest on the sides of the tongue?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Why is sweet taste considered a natural signal to eat?

It is a fact that the -------------- detects the taste of the foods.

Question at position 27 Peria.Cili.Gula.Anggur.Garam.

The taste sensation umami is most likely to attract us to foods that are

Which of the following is/are true of taste processing?

Which of the following is true of people who are supertasters?

A sensory perception that is often described as tart is [选择] umami astringency salty bitter sweet sour . A sensory perception that is often described as a rough, dry, chalky mouthfeel is [选择] salty umami bitter sweet sour astringency .

A sensory perception that is often described as tart is sour . A sensory perception that is often described as a rough, dry, chalky mouthfeel is astringency .

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler