Author Question: What physical state must all substances be in before a taste can be ... (Read 48 times)

sjones

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 520
What physical state must all substances be in before a taste can be detected?

Question 2

What chemical compound(s) is/are thought to be responsible for the taste of bitter? Sour? Salty? Sweet?



shailee

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 392
Answer to Question 1

In order for a substance to be tasted, it must dissolve in liquid or saliva, which is 99.5 percent water. When food comes into the mouth, bits of it are dissolved in the saliva pools of the taste buds. Here, the food contacts the cilia of the gustatory cells which send messages to the brain. The brain translates these messages into tastes. The more moisture a food contains, the more molecules can be spread to trigger flavor.

Answer to Question 2

Bitter tastes are caused by compounds such as caffeine, theobromine, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids. Acidic compounds made up of hydrogen (H+) ion concentrations cause a food to taste sour. Acids are present in fruits, vinegar, and certain vegetables. Salty tastes are evident when food contains ionized salts such as the salt ions Na+ in sodium chloride (NaCl) or other salts. Sugar's sweetness comes from the chemical configuration of food molecules. Sugars, glycols, alcohols, and aldehydes cause sweet tastes.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

Every flu season is different, and even healthy people can get extremely sick from the flu, as well as spread it to others. The flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Every person over six months of age should get an annual flu vaccine. The vaccine cannot cause you to get influenza, but in some seasons, may not be completely able to prevent you from acquiring influenza due to changes in causative viruses. The viruses in the flu shot are killed—there is no way they can give you the flu. Minor side effects include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given. It is possible to develop a slight fever, and body aches, but these are simply signs that the body is responding to the vaccine and making itself ready to fight off the influenza virus should you come in contact with it.

Did you know?

The term pharmacology is derived from the Greek words pharmakon("claim, medicine, poison, or remedy") and logos ("study").

Did you know?

In women, pharmacodynamic differences include increased sensitivity to (and increased effectiveness of) beta-blockers, opioids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and typical antipsychotics.

Did you know?

After a vasectomy, it takes about 12 ejaculations to clear out sperm that were already beyond the blocked area.

Did you know?

According to animal studies, the typical American diet is damaging to the liver and may result in allergies, low energy, digestive problems, and a lack of ability to detoxify harmful substances.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library