The Ability to Taste PTC and Other Bitter Chemicals Is

Question

The ability to taste PTC and other bitter chemicals is controlled by ____.
A) hormone levels that change throughout life
B) the presence of fats and sugars in the food being eaten
C) the amount of PTC exposure as a child
D) the amount of capsaicin present in taste buds
E) proteins on the surface of receptor cells

Accepted Answer

The ability to taste PTC and other bitter chemicals is controlled by proteins on the surface of receptor cells, specifically TAS2R receptors. These proteins detect bitter molecules and transmit a signal to the brain to indicate the presence of bitterness. Genetic variations in these receptors can lead to differences in bitter taste perception.