taste cell

a receptor cell for gustatory stimuli. Each has a hairlike extension (see microvillus) that protrudes from the opening in the taste bud. Humans have about 300,000 taste cells, though the number can vary across individuals, and there are about 50 cells per taste bud. Taste cells can be divided into four anatomical types: Type I cells comprise 60% of the total, Type II cells 20%, Type III cells 15%, and Type IV cells 5%. All but Type IV cells may be involved in taste transduction. See also gustatory neuron types.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

care of young

care of young

a manifestation of parental behavior or alloparenting in animals, usually stimulated by hormonal and other physiological changes when in the presence of offspring. These include the secretion of prolactin, which induces broodiness and parental feeding of young in birds and milk production in mammals.