Final answer:
Special salivary glands stimulate the release of saliva into the taste bud troughs to neutralize and wash away bitter substances post taste bud activation, aiding in cleansing the mouth and digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special salivary glands secrete saliva into the base of the taste bud troughs to wash out bitter substances after taste bud stimulation.
When you eat, chemicals in the food stimulate taste receptors on your tongue. This sends nerve impulses to the salivary nuclei in the brain stem.
Then, parasympathetic impulses through the glossopharyngeal and facial nerves trigger the salivary glands to produce saliva.
This not only helps with the breakdown and digestion of food but also cleanses the mouth of any remaining food particles or bitter substances.
The increased salivation following eating serves to neutralize and dilute potentially irritating or bitter remnants such as those found in certain foods or condiments.