Gustation- Flavor vs. Taste (Jen Hinerman)

Author

Jen Hinerman

Principle(s) Illustrated

1. Five senses

2. Taste and Flavor

Standards

• California State Standard 9e Students know the roles of sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons in sensation, thought, and response.

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

Students have a firm understanding of the five major senses and the basic function of each.

Root question:

What sense do you need for flavor?

Target response:

Smell

Common Misconceptions:

Students know that the tongue tastes, but think that they detect flavor with their tongue as well. But in reality, students only detect the five tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami) with the receptors on their tongue. In order to taste the vast array of flavors, they use receptors in their nose.

Photographs and Movies

Taste and Flavor video

References

Gustation

Umami