When scientists studied people\'s reactions to PROP, a synthetic compound found

Question

When scientists studied people's reactions to PROP, a synthetic compound found in thyroid medicine, they found that about 75% of people couldn't detect this compound. The other 25% reported that this compound was intensely bitter. Which of the following statements explains this observation?

PROP is an acquired taste that depends on prior exposure. The people who could not taste PROP have lost their sense of taste over time. People who can taste PROP have a heightened sense of smell that enhances their ability to detect this compound. The people who can detect PROP are supertasters who have more fungiform papillae than nontasters.

Explanation / Answer

D). The people who can detect PROP are supertasters who have more fungiform papillae than nontaster.

The sense of taste is perceived by tongue though the taste buds, the receptors of taste. Taste buds are distributed in the oral cavity including in the mucosa of the epiglottis, palate, pharynx and inner surface of the cheeks. Most of the taste buds are located on the papillae present on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Fungiform papillae (situated over the anterior surface of the tongue, these are mushroom shaped). Supertasters are more sensitive towards the taste of certain foods. They found to have many fungiform papillae (approximately 10 times higher than the normal tasters).

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