Thirty different chemoreceptors {bitter receptor} detect non-ionic organic compounds, such as alkaloids, including quinine and unripe-potato alkaloid {solanine}. Bitter receptors couple to G-proteins. Second messengers release calcium ions from endoplasmic reticulum. All bitter-receptor types synapse on same taste-neuron type, so people cannot discriminate among bitters. Babies can taste bitter and dislike it. Perhaps, bitter receptors evolved to detect poisons.
6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) tastes bitter. Supertasters have its chemoreceptors {6-n-propylthiouracil taste receptor}, have many fungiform papillae, and have high-intensity tastes. One-third of people cannot taste PROP, lack those receptors, have fewer fungiform papillae, and have low-intensity tastes.
PTC taste
Phenylthiocarbamide tastes bitter and is similar to propylthiouraci. One-third of people cannot taste it.
1-Consciousness-Sense-Taste-Anatomy-Receptors
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Date Modified: 2022.0225