Taste Buds

Taste Buds are nerve endings that are located on the tongue and back of the throat and are responsible for our sensation of taste. They contain taste receptor cells which chemically react with food molecules and saliva to produce taste. The average human has approximately 10,000 taste buds. Interestingly, you lose taste buds as you age. Humans experience five basic taste sensations: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory). Each taste bud can recognize all five tastes, they are not specialized to recognize only one type.

See also: Taste