Researchers have suggested a fifth taste in humans known as umami and attribute the taste to the compound glutamate. Which of the following would support the belief that umami is a real "taste"?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The identification of chemoreceptors in a taste bud that respond to glutamate would support the belief that umami is a real taste. This is because taste buds are responsible for detecting the five primary tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami) and chemoreceptors in these taste buds create nerve impulses in response to specific stimuli. Therefore, a chemoreceptor in a taste bud that responds specifically to glutamate would be evidence that umami is a distinct taste. The other options (A, B, and D) do not specifically relate to the taste bud and would not provide evidence for the existence of a distinct taste.

Researchers Have Suggested a Fifth Taste in Humans Known as Umami