Which of the following statements is correct?

• A. There is no distinction between taste and smell in terrestrial animals.
• B. Most papillae on the tongue are associated with nipple-shaped projections called taste buds.
• C. Particular regions of the tongue with taste buds can detect only a single type of taste.
• D. In gustation, the sensory cells are neurons.
• E. The receptors in human taste buds are responsible for recognizing five types of tastants.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the basic concepts of taste and smell in terrestrial animals. Taste and smell are distinct senses, each with specialized receptors and pathways.
2. Examine the structure of the tongue. Papillae are the small projections on the tongue, and taste buds are located within these papillae, not the papillae themselves.
3. Consider the distribution of taste buds on the tongue. Taste buds can detect multiple types of tastes, not just a single type, contrary to the statement that particular regions detect only one type.
4. Understand the nature of sensory cells involved in gustation. In gustation, the sensory cells are not neurons; they are specialized epithelial cells that synapse with neurons.
5. Identify the correct statement about human taste receptors. Human taste buds contain receptors that recognize five types of tastants: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.