Question

Which of the following parts of the tongue detects the taste of jaggery?
A. Front
B. End
C. Center
D. Sides

Answer 1

Hint: The tongue is the muscular organ situated in the mouth. The major function of the organ is in the thorough mixing of food particles with the saliva secreted in the mouth. The upper surface of the tongue possesses numerous projections known as the papillae. Some of the papillae bear the taste buds, which helps in distinguishing the different tastes present in the food such as sweet, sour, bitter, and salt. Represented as the taste map of the tongue.

Complete answer: The various portions of the tongue are responsible for the recognition of different tastes. Since jaggery is sweet, the taste buds present in the front portion, that is towards the front tip of the tongue recognizes the sweet taste. The end portion that is the far inside portion of the tongue consists of taste buds that recognize the bitter taste in the food particles. The center portion of the tongue possesses taste buds recognizing the sour taste in materials, such as lemon and other sour food materials. On either side of the tongue consists of taste buds recognizing the salt taste.

Therefore, the most appropriate and the correct answer was found to be A, that is, the sweet taste of jaggery is detected by the front portion of the tongue.

Note: Apart from the main four tastes present in food, there is another taste known as umami, this taste occurs as a result of glutamate tasting. The taste buds which help in detecting the tastes consist of nerve fibers, which get connected to the brain. And the brain helps in distinguishing the taste.