Map the positions of tastes of you tongue
Suitable For
Grade 3
Difficulty
1
Time Required
<12 Hours
Supervision
Advised
What’s it about?
In the following science experiment we will be treating your tongue to some wild taste sensations! The main taste sensations can be divided up into four main categories: Sweet, Salty, Bitter & Sour. The small organs responsible for these tastes are called taste buds, and they are located just below the surface of the tongue and at some places in the throat:
Topics covered
Taste buds
What will I need?
- WHITE PAPER
- PENCIL
- MIRROR
- SALT
- SUGAR
- LEMON JUICE
- COFFEE POWDER
Procedure (Method)
In the following science experiment we will be treating your tongue to some wild taste sensations! The main taste sensations can be divided up into four main categories: Sweet, Salty, Bitter & Sour. The small organs responsible for these tastes are called taste buds, and they are located just below the surface of the tongue and at some places in the throat:
- Place a small amount (about 2 teaspoons) of all the tastes mentioned above (Table salt = Salty taste, Sugar = Sweet taste, Lemon juice = Sour taste & Coffee = Bitter taste) into separate plates.
- Add a small amount of water to each of the ingredients above (about 1 teaspoon)
- Now draw an outline of your tongue similar to the drawing above.
- While holding up the mirror to see your face, dip a teaspoon in the salty solution and place it on any part of your tongue – mark the position where you can taste salt on the tongue outline as in the above drawing.
- Do the same for the remaining three solutions and mark out their positions as per the drawing. Remember to rinse you mouth thoroughly between tastes with water.
How does it work?
As the taste solutions come in contact with your mouth, small openings in the tongue called taste receptor cells, send information to the taste areas of the brain via the cranial nerves, giving you the sensation of different tastes.
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