Hall: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 12th Edition
Chapter 53: The Chemical Senses—Taste and Smell
Test Bank
1. Glutamate is thought to be the primary source of stimulation of which of the following
taste sensations?
A. Umami
B. Sour
C. Salty
D. Bitter
2. Which of the following occurs during olfactory signal transduction?
A. The oderant molecule binds to the mucus layer covering the olfactory cilia which
results in activation of voltage gated potassium channels
B. The oderant molecule binds directly to an oderant gated ion channel
C. The oderant molecule binds to an oderant binding protein which results in the
activation of a G protein that induces the formation of cGMP which opens an ion
channel
D. The oderant molecule binds to an oderant binding protein which results in the
activation of a G protein that induces the formation of cAMP which opens an ion
channel
3. Damage to which of these cranial nerves would impair the bitter taste sensation?
A. The hypoglossal nerve
B. The facial nerve
C. The glossopharyngeal nerve
D. The trigeminal nerve
4. The sour taste sensation is the result of stimulation of the appropriate taste receptor by?
A. Long chain organic substances containing nitrogen
B. Ionized salts
C. Hydrogen ions
D. Complex organic molecules
5. The bitter taste sensation is the result of stimulation of the appropriate taste receptor by?
A. Long chain organic substances containing nitrogen
Test Bank
53-2
B. Ionized salts
C. Hydrogen ions
D. Complex organic molecules
6. Which of the following is NOT considered to be a primary sensation of smell?
A. Ethereal
B. Floral
C. Camphoraceous
D. Umami
7. The first central synapse for neurons transmitting the sweet taste sensation is in which of
the following structures?
A. The nucleus of the vagus nerve
B. The nucleus of the solitary tract
C. The nucleus of the olfactory nerve
D. The nucleus of the hypoglossal nerve
8. The facial nerve is responsible for the innervation of which of the following as it relates
to the taste sensation?
A. The posterior portion of the tongue
B. The extraglossal portion of the mouth
C. The anterior portion of the tongue
D. The lateral aspects of the posterior portion of the tongue
9. The rapid adaptation of the taste sensation is thought to be a phenomenon:
A. Related to the taste buds themselves
B. Related to the area from which the taste buds are located on the tongue
C. Related to a mechanism in the central nervous system
D. Related to the type of taste sensation
10. Which chemical properties must be at least partially present in a substance for it to be
perceived by the olfactory system as an odor?
A. It must be water soluble
B. It must be lipid soluble
C. It must be volatile
D. All of the above
Test Bank
53-3
11. Which of the following statements concerning the sensation of smell is correct?
A. The sensation of smell is not well developed in humans
B. The sensation of smell does not adapt to continuous stimulation
C. The sensation of smell is transmitted in the solitary tract of the brain stem
D. All of the above are correct