Chapter 7 The Sensory Systems 291 Analyze and Apply 6. Describe in detail how you are able to taste food. 7. List the five basic tastes and give examples of each. 8. Natural gas has no smell. Explain why utility companies put an unpleasant smell in natural gas. 9. Predict the outcome of an elderly individual without family who lives alone and has experienced a reduction in the number of taste buds due to illness and aging. 10. What is the difference between taste and flavor? While holding your nose, begin chewing a jelly bean. Can you identify the flavor of the jelly bean? Can you describe what you taste? You might say that you detect a sweet taste, which is due to the sugar in the jelly bean. Now, while continuing to chew, let go of your nose. What happens? Did you get a sudden rush of flavor? Can you better identify the flavor of the jelly bean? What did you learn from this experiment? Write a brief description of your findings. 11. Aromatherapy is a thriving business throughout the United States. Although scientists agree that aromatherapy is a valid form of therapy, consumers must use caution when purchasing and using aromatherapy-related products. Gather promotional brochures and information about various aromatherapy products. Analyze them and conduct research to determine whether the claims made on the promotional materials are valid. What can you infer about each product? Present your findings to the class. IN THE LAB Mini Glossary Make sure that you know the meaning of each key term. antihistamines medications that work to curb the activity of histamines gustatory sense the sense of taste histamines molecules that trigger a reaction to irritation of the nasal membranes, which produces nasal congestion and drainage limbic system the part of the brain that is responsible for emotions olfactory bulb the thickened end of the olfactory nerve that sends sensory impulses to the olfactory region of the brain olfactory hairs threads that extend from the olfactory receptor cells into the nasal cavity olfactory nerve a cranial nerve that sends impulses to the olfactory cortex of the brain olfactory region a dime-sized area at the top of each nasal cavity that houses sensors responsible for smell olfactory sense the sense of smell papillae tiny bumps on the tongue that house taste buds septum the structure made of cartilage that divides the left and right air passages in the nose tastants compounds that stimulate the gustatory hairs to send nerve impulses to the brain taste buds sensory receptors for taste taste pores very small openings in the top of the taste buds through which gustatory hairs project Know and Understand 1. Which part of the brain is responsible for emotions related to scent? 2. Define histamines and state the importance of antihistamines. 3. What is the name of the structure that separates the right and left air passages of the nose? 4. The sense of taste is affected by the sense of _____. 5. Which mouth-related disorder causes a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth? LESSON 7.3 Review and Assessment Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.