Question

chapter 15 end of chapter review question 12
1 part | -- of 1 point

which of the following is not a requirement for something to be tasted?

the tastant must diffuse into a taste pore.

the tastant must dissolve in saliva.

the tastant must contact gustatory hairs.

the tastant must contact the basal epithelial cells of the taste buds.

Explanation:

To determine the answer, we analyze the taste process: Tastants must dissolve in saliva, diffuse into taste pores, and contact gustatory hairs (part of taste receptor cells) to be tasted. Basal epithelial cells in taste buds are stem cells for taste receptor renewal, not directly involved in taste perception. So the option about contacting basal epithelial cells is not a requirement.

Answer:

D. The tastant must contact the basal epithelial cells of the taste buds.