Two students studying physiology taste a known "bitter" substance, and both report sensing bitterness. They then sample another substance. Student A reports sensing both a bitter taste and a salty taste, but student B reports only a salty taste. What is the most logical explanation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that both students sensed bitterness in a known bitter substance suggests that they both have the ability to detect bitter molecules. However, the difference in their perceptions of the second substance suggests that student A has an additional taste receptor for salt, while student B does not. This implies a difference in the expression of taste receptors between the two students, which is most likely to be due to a difference in the genetic makeup of the specific protein receptors involved in the perception of these tastes.

Two Students Studying Physiology Taste a Known "Bitter" Substance, and Both