Final answer:
Basal cells in taste buds are stem cells responsible for regenerating taste cells every 10 to 14 days, ensuring the functionality of our sense of taste. Therefore, the most appropriate correct option is 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells within a taste bud that are responsible for multiplying and replacing taste cells that have died are known as basal cells. These cells are not directly involved in the process of tasting but are crucial for the maintenance and regeneration of the taste buds. Unlike gustatory receptor cells, which are specialized to respond to chemical stimuli dissolved in saliva, basal cells serve as progenitors to replace these sensory cells. Once the taste cells, which have a life cycle of 10 to 14 days, reach the end of their cycle, they are replaced by new ones derived from the basal cells.