Final answer:
Taste, also known as gustation, and smell, also known as olfaction, are the most interconnected senses in that both involve molecules of the stimulus entering the body and bonding to receptors. These senses help animals sense the presence of food, potential mates, predators, and prey, as well as chemicals in the environment that can impact their survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Taste, also called gustation, and smell, also called olfaction, are the most interconnected senses in that both involve molecules of the stimulus entering the body and bonding to receptors. Smell lets an animal sense the presence of food or other animals whether potential mates, predators, or prey or other chemicals in the environment that can impact their survival. Similarly, the sense of taste allows animals to discriminate between types of foods. For example, sweet-tasting substances tend to be highly caloric, which could be necessary for survival in lean times. Bitterness is associated with toxicity, and sourness is associated with spoiled food.