Once taste molecules bind to receptors, neural impulses are transmitted via different nerves to the brain. Taste information is transmitted to the medulla, thalamus, and limbic system, before ultimately reaching the gustatory cortex.

Gustatory Pathway

Taste molecules from consumed food and beverages dissolve in saliva and interact with taste receptors. These receptors are located on hair-like extensions of taste receptor cells. When taste molecules bind to these receptors, they cause chemical changes within the sensory cell that result in neural impulses being transmitted to the brain.

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Taste is a chemical sense

- The five basic tastes
- How taste functions

Taste

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

There are unique receptor cells on the surface of the tongue that detect different tastes. Structures called papillae are small bumps on the tongue that increase the tongue's surface area . There are three kinds of papillae. 

- circumvallate papillae (located towards back of the tongue)
- foliate papillae (located on the sides of the tongue)
- fungiform papillae (located in the front of the tongue) 

On each papillae, there are taste buds. 

How taste functions

While it is commonly taught that there are four traditional taste groupings (sweet, salty, sour, and bitter), research has expanded this classification to include at least six. The fifth identified taste is umami, and there is significant experimental evidence supporting the existence of a sixth taste for the fatty content of food.

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