Final answer:
The fungiform papillae, which are most concentrated at the tip and sides of the tongue, are responsible for taste and are smaller in those areas compared to the back of the tongue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of lingual papillae that are most concentrated at the tip and sides of the tongue are fungiform papillae. These papillae are mushroom-shaped and cover a large area of the tongue, being smaller on the tip and sides. They contain taste buds which are responsible for the transduction of taste stimuli. In contrast, foliate papillae are leaf-like and located along the edges and toward the back of the tongue, whereas filiform papillae, which are long and thin, do not contain taste buds but have touch receptors to help move food around. Lastly, vallate papillae are located at the back of the tongue in an inverted "V" shape and are surrounded by a groove that contains numerous taste buds.