Final answer:
Taste buds are located on the fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae on the tongue, each containing varying numbers of gustatory receptor cells sensitive to different tastes, but not on the filiform papillae, which are solely tactile.
Step-by-step explanation:
Taste buds are sensory structures that are sensitive to various taste sensations, such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. These specialized structures contain gustatory receptor cells that respond to chemical stimuli dissolved in saliva. Taste buds are primarily found on various types of papillae on the tongue:
- Fungiform papillae: These are located mainly on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and contain one to eight taste buds each, along with pressure and temperature receptors.
- Circumvallate papillae: Situated in the shape of an inverted 'V' at the back of the tongue, each circumvallate papilla contains about 250 taste buds.
- Foliate papillae: These leaf-like papillae are located in parallel folds along the edges and toward the back of the tongue and contain about 1,300 taste buds within their folds.