INTRODUCTION FOR TEACHER:
Taste or gustation is one of the two main "chemical" senses. There are at least four types of tastes that "buds" (receptors) on the tongue detect, and hence there are anatomists who argue that these constitute five or more different senses, given that each receptor conveys information to a slightly different region of the brain. The inability to taste is called ageusia.
The four well-known receptors detect sweet, salty, sour, and bitter, although the receptors for sweet and bitter have not been conclusively identified.
Note: that taste is not the same as flavour; flavour includes the smell of a food as well as its taste.
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN:
- VOCABULARY
acid, bitter, frozen, sour, sweet, salty, tongue, tooths, mouth, to taste, to eat, to drink
- ACTIVITIESLanguage: What part of the body do we use to taste things? Discuss the mouth and the tounge. (listening and speaking)
A Taste Day
Present many types of mystery food. Have the children close their eyes and have a taste of one of the mystery food and then describe the flavor and guess what it could be. After each child has had a turn, reveal what the mystery food is. (speaking)
