Question

The gustatory receptors are present in
(a) Eyes
(b) Ears
(c) Nose
(d) Tongue

Answer 1

Gustatory receptors consist of all the receptors related to taste. A taste receptor is a type of receptor that facilitates the sensation of taste. When food or other substances enter the mouth, molecules interact with saliva and are bound to taste receptors in the oral cavity and other locations.

Complete step by step answer:
The gustatory system consists of taste receptor cells in taste buds. Taste buds, in turn, are contained in structures called papillae. There are three types of papillae involved in taste: fungiform papillae, foliate papillae, and circumvallate papillae. Beyond the papillae, taste receptors are also in the palate and early parts of the digestive system like the larynx and upper esophagus. There are three cranial nerves that innervate the tongue; the vagus nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, and the facial nerve. The glossopharyngeal nerve and the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve innervate the TAS1R and TAS2R taste receptors. Next to the taste receptors in on the tongue, the gut epithelium is also equipped with a subtle chemosensory system that communicates the sensory information to several effector systems involved in the regulation of appetite, immune responses, and gastrointestinal motility Five basic tastes are recognized today: salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami. Salty and sour taste sensations are both detected through ion channels. Sweet, bitter, and umami tastes, however, are detected by way of G protein- coupled taste receptors.

Additional Information:
- Gustation is the special sense associated with the tongue.
- The surface of the tongue, along with the rest of the oral cavity, is lined by a stratified squamous epithelium. Raised bumps called papillae.
- papillae contain the structures for gustatory transduction. Within the structure of the papillae are taste buds that contain specialized gustatory receptor cells for the transduction of taste stimuli.
- These receptor cells are sensitive to the chemicals contained within foods that are ingested, and they release neurotransmitters based on the amount of the chemical in the food.
So, the correct answer is 'Tongue'.

Note:
- Neurotransmitters from the gustatory cells can activate sensory neurons in the facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus cranial nerves.
- The number of taste buds within papillae varies, with each bud containing several specialized taste cells for the transduction of taste stimuli. Taste is associated mainly with the tongue, although there are taste receptors on the palate and epiglottis as well.
- The surface of the tongue, along with the rest of the oral cavity, is lined by a stratified squamous epithelium.