Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello
i'm doing a project on which taste sensations (sweet, salty, bitter and sour) one can percieve the best without the sense of smell,
and I have some urgent questions i need answers to asap.
1. What is the exact part of the cerebrum of the brain where taste and smell flavors and sensations are percieved?
2. Can salt be an indicator of poisonous foods?
Thank you so much please reply ASAP

Hi
i'm doing a project on which taste sensations neurons in the mouth can detect the best (sweet, salty, sour, or bitter) w/o the nose.
and was wondering why the sensations are tasted at different parts of the tongue. If bitter sensation is an indicator of poison for humans, why are the taste receptors for that sesation located at the back of the tongue where it is closer to getting swallowed?
Thank you so much!!

Hi,

Did you try a google search for the first question? I think if you search "brain receptor taste" you'll find lots of information to look through. Let me know if you have trouble getting started from there.

Can salt be an indicator of poisonous foods? I am not sure... I can't think of anything poisonous that tasts salty. I can think of some that taste sweet!

Thank you Ms. Expert!
Yes, I tried looking it up but found hardly any information on the exact spot of where the sensations are percieved. I'm not sure if its a certain section of the cerebrum, or if its the entire cerebrum.
Also, I was wondering why the sensations are tasted at different parts of the tongue. If bitter sensation is an indicator of poison for humans, why are the taste receptors for that sesation located at the back of the tongue where it is closer to getting swallowed?
Thank you sooo much!!

Found this online...might help you. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue_map

In regards to the area of the brain I would try your search using a different combinations of words....have you tried "what are of the brain processes taste?"

Here is a link that will help answer your question http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongue_map

Al right! Thanks so much again i'll check out the website.

Hi there,

You have an interesting project question! Both the taste buds and the olfactory (scent) receptors are chemoreceptors, which means they respond to chemicals. Taste buds respond to chemicals in your mouth, whereas the olfactory receptors respond to the chemicals inhaled from the air. Smelling your food often enhances your taste experience, but you can still taste food when you are unable to smell.

Asking "why" things evolved is often difficult to answer, since evolution does not always occur with a purpose or goal. That said, you can speculate about reasons that it might (or might not) make sense to have the bitter taste buds toward the back of the mouth. For example, the gag reflex is usually located toward the throat; maybe it is easier for that reflex to be triggered when the food is in the back of the mouth rather than the front.

I hope this helps. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions.

Heather