Question

The tongue is covered in _______________________. There are four types of ____________________. These are, _______________________ (which are everywhere on the tongue), ____________________ (at the tip and sides of the tongue), ____________________ (at the folds along the back of the tongue), and ______________________ (in a trench at the back of the tongue). All types of ________________ contain ___________ __________ EXCEPT for the ____________________ ______________ which contain somatosensory receptors for texture.

Answer 1

The surface of the tongue is covered in papillae, which contain taste buds, except for filiform papillae that have somatosensory receptors for texture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tongue is covered in small bumps called papillae, which contain taste buds that are sensitive to chemicals in ingested food or drink. There are four types of papillae: filiform (which are everywhere on the tongue), fungiform (at the tip and sides of the tongue), foliate (at the folds along the back of the tongue), and circumvallate (in a trench at the back of the tongue). All types of papillae contain taste buds except for the filiform papillae, which contain somatosensory receptors for texture.

Taste buds contain specialized gustatory receptor cells that respond to chemical stimuli dissolved in the saliva. These receptor cells activate sensory neurons that are part of the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves. Different types of papillae are found in different regions of the tongue, and each type has a specific role in the perception of taste and texture.