Sensitivity

Taste Human senses - taste

Fact file

There are four basic tastes - salty, sweet, sour, and bitter.
The human tongue is covered in taste buds which are made up of receptor cells. Each receptor cell responds best to one of the basic tastes.
As you eat, the receptor cells send nervous impulses to the brain. The brain processes these impulses and we 'taste' what is in our mouths.
Our sense of taste depends on other senses like smell and sight.
There are probably aboout 10,000 taste buds on your tongue.

Activity:

Our sense of taste is easily tricked - especially if you can't see or smell what you are eating. With a partner, take turns tasting different foods. Make sure that when it is your turn to taste you hold your nose tightly, and that your eyes are closed. You will be surprised to find how difficult it is to tell one type of food from another.
Some tasting ideas: slices of apple, pear, onion, carrot, orange, lemon - experiment!

Test your senses!

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