Question

Which of the following taste bud is present on the lateral sides of the human tongue?

• A. Bitter
• B. Salty
• C. Sour
• D. Sweet

Hint:

While the traditional "tongue map" is an oversimplification, it is generally accepted that taste buds sensitive to sourness are more concentrated on the sides of the tongue. Remember that taste perception is complex and involves all taste buds, along with olfactory (smell) and textural cues.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To solve this problem, let's explore the distribution of taste buds on the human tongue and how each type of taste is represented in different regions.

1. What are Taste Buds?

Taste buds are specialized sensory organs located on the tongue and other parts of the mouth, responsible for detecting different tastes. These taste buds are located on small bumps called papillae. The main tastes detected by taste buds are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory). The distribution of these tastes on the tongue is not uniform, with different areas of the tongue being more sensitive to certain tastes.

2. Explanation of Each Option:

- Option 1: "Bitter" – This is incorrect. While bitter taste receptors are found on the back of the tongue, they are not concentrated on the lateral (side) regions of the tongue. The back of the tongue is most sensitive to bitter tastes.

- Option 2: "Salty" – This is incorrect. Salty taste receptors are generally located towards the front and sides of the tongue, but they are not concentrated on the lateral sides. The lateral sides are more sensitive to sour tastes.

- Option 3: "Sour" – This is the correct answer. The lateral sides of the tongue are most sensitive to sour tastes. Sour tastes are typically caused by acids, such as citric acid found in lemons, and are detected by taste buds located along the sides of the tongue.

- Option 4: "Sweet" – This is incorrect. Sweet tastes are typically detected by the taste buds located on the tip of the tongue, not on the lateral sides. The tip of the tongue is most sensitive to sweet flavors, like those found in sugars.

3. Why This Matters:

Understanding the distribution of taste buds helps explain why we perceive different tastes in specific areas of our mouth. It also highlights the importance of taste in detecting food quality, potential toxins, and nutritional value. For example, sour tastes (often indicative of spoilage or ripeness) are detected along the sides, whereas sweet tastes help us identify energy-rich foods.

4. Final Answer:

The taste bud that is present on the lateral sides of the human tongue is sour.