Final answer:
Basal cells within taste buds function as stem cells, replacing taste cells every 10 to 14 days, thereby ensuring the continuity of the taste sensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells of a taste bud that act as stem cells and are responsible for multiplying and replacing the taste cells that have died are known as basal cells. These basal cells undergo mitosis to produce new cells, which replace the existing taste cells approximately every 10 to 14 days.
Taste buds consist of specialized gustatory receptor cells that recognize different taste sensations. These gustatory cells have hair-like processes called microvilli that extend into the taste bud pore, contracting tastants—molecules from food or drink that are dissolved in saliva. The binding of tastants to receptors on microvilli triggers sensory neurons, leading to action potentials that communicate taste information to the brain.
It's important to note that while basal cells do not directly participate in the sensation of taste, their role in regenerating the taste cells makes them critical in maintaining the sense of taste over time. Basal cells ensure that damaged or old taste cells are replenished, preserving the functionality of the taste buds.