Question

How many different taste molecules can an individual taste cell detect?

a) 1
b) 5
c) 10
d) 100

Answer 1

An individual taste cell can detect all five primary tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is b) 5. An individual taste cell can detect all five primary tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. Each taste has its own receptor type that responds only to that taste. When a taste receptor cell is stimulated, it triggers action potentials in a nearby sensory neuron which sends messages to the brain about the taste.