Question

Taste buds for bitter taste are found on the tongue at
A. Tip B
B. On the basal surface
C. Posterior part
D. Lateral sides

Answer 1

Hint: The tongue is known to assimilate 5 different tastes which are, sweet, salt, sour, bitter, and umami. There are specific taste buds responsible for sensing each taste and are located at different positions of the tongue.

Complete answer: The tongue can sense taste through specialized taste receptor cells which are called papillae. These cells can identify and distinguish between different tastes. There are namely five different tastes which the human tongue can sense. They are sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. There are different zones within the tongue that can sense taste much better as specific taste receptors for that particular taste are concentrated in the given region. For example, the taste receptors/ taste buds for sweetness are concentrated at the tip of the tongue. In the case of salty, the taste receptors are placed at the edge of the tongue, and for sour, at the lateral sides of the tongue. For the sense of bitterness, the taste receptor/taste buds are placed at the back end of the tongue, and in the case of umami, it is present on the basal surface of the entire tongue.
Therefore, the correct option is C.

Note: The position of various specific taste receptors on the tongue is called the tongue map. This idea of specific locations for receptors has been questioned and the idea that every taste bud is capable of assimilating all the different forms of taste has been identified. But the tongue map is widely used to prepare food products and other food utensils such as wine glasses and spoons to give a better taste experience.