On Fri, 28 Sep 2001 08:22:18 -0400 (EDT) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Hello, > > This is a question from a student. I have never been aware of the taste > reaction that he is describing, but was wondering about his impression that > the salt receptors are stronger than the others on the tongue. Is this true, > or is he asking about something that is totally idiosyncratic? > > Although we are finished with the senses. I had to ask this. Why is it when > one puts salt on their tongue and then sweet, the salty taste still lingers > on your tongue before the "sweetness". Also are the salt receptors "stronger" > than the others? because it take a while before a salty taste leaves thae > mouth. > The issue is complex, and the student's impression may be idiosyncratic but here is a relevant issue. Saliva contains salt. The amount of saliva in the mouth and the amount of salt in the saliva will change the taste threshold for salt for an individual. (More salty saliva will increase the threshold because there will be adaptation.) When you start mixing foodstuffs in the mouth then you may see adaptation-produced potentiation of tastes. For example, if you adapt the tongue to the presence of something bitter (like quinine) then you may potentiate or elicit a sweet taste to a neutral substance like water. So your students impression may be explained by a combination of the saltiness of saliva, the saltiness of the foodstuff, and the sweetness of the other foodstuff. (And it Don McBurney can be raised from the shadows then he can provide a more definitive answer.) Ken ---------------------- Kenneth M. Steele, Ph.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dept. of Psychology Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608 USA
