Taste and Smell: Chemical Senses (Part 5)

What You'll Learn

Taste buds on the tongue detect five basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Smell greatly enhances the sense of taste, which is why food seems bland when you have a cold.

Key Words

muscle
nerve
brain

Materials Needed

different scented items
textured objects
timer
ruler

Safety First

Keep small objects away from young children.
Work in a well-ventilated area when using vinegar or other strong-smelling substances.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: Taste buds on the tongue detect five basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Smell greatly enhances the sense of taste, which is why food seems bland when you have a cold.

Step 2 — Do

Conduct the experiment by following the instructions.

Step 3 — Observe

Look for patterns in your observations.

Step 4 — Record

Make a graph or chart showing your results.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What are the five basic tastes?