Page 139 - The Miracles of Smell and Taste

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(Figure 23)
caffeine
The substances here leave a bit-
ter taste in the mouth. As we
Cycloheximide 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil can see, the chemical struc-
tures of these few substances
are very different from one an-
other. Thanks to the perfect cre-
ation and extraordinary capacity
quinine of the taste-perception system,
we are able to perceive count-
Denatonium benzoate (bitrex) less taste molecules.

their activity, we must first be acquainted with the set-up within the
tongue.
Taste-receptor cells are specialized cells found only in the tongue and
in certain regions of the mouth. The taste-perceiving cells in the tongue
are collected in bulb-like structures known as taste buds—structures
known as papillae. These tiny protrusions that give the tongue its famil-

iar rough appearance are found on the tongue’s upper surface and sides.
There are four kinds of papillae, distributed among various regions.
(Figure 24) The most striking of these are the fungi form papillae at the
front of the tongue, which become more clearly visible after one has
drunk milk. The vallate papillae, larger and fewer in number than the oth-

ers, are set out in a reverse V shape at the back of the tongue. Foliate pa-
pillae are found on the rear sides of the tongue. Fungiform, vallate and fo-
liate papillae contain taste buds. Filiform papillae, the most numerous
type, do not contain taste buds, and cover almost the entire surface of the
tongue. These are concerned with the sense of touch.
When the tongue is examined under a powerful microscope, the first

thing one notices is a structural regularity. From smallest to largest, the or-

Harun Yahya
(Adnan Oktar)