dose age affect the ability to detect salt

Ask questions about projects relating to: biology, biochemistry, genomics, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology/toxicology, zoology, human behavior, archeology, anthropology, political science, sociology, geology, environmental science, oceanography, seismology, weather, or atmosphere.

Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators

Locked
Nate111
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2021 5:33 pm
Occupation: Student

dose age affect the ability to detect salt

Post by Nate111 »

I want to know the Science behind Old salty: Dose age affect the ability to detect salt
brandimiller610
Expert
Posts: 89
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:40 am
Occupation: Expert
Project Question: Ask an Expert
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: dose age affect the ability to detect salt

Post by brandimiller610 »

Hi Nate111,

Our ability to taste is due to taste buds covering our tongues; taste buds are receptors that transmit electrochemical signals to the brain, via sensory neurons, which allow us to taste certain flavors (or, in some cases, no flavors). As we age, a process called "cellular senescence" leads to many changes that affect all of our senses, including taste. These changes include a decrease in the number of taste buds, shrinking of taste buds, and a loss in the ability of taste buds to regenerate (i.e. after injury; normally, for example, if a taste bud were to get burned, it can regenerate or heal within a few days). Together, these changes lead to a decline in the ability to taste as we age.

--Brandi
Locked

Return to “Grades 9-12: Life, Earth, and Social Sciences”