## Step1

Smelling & tasting

Study the text and answer the questions below.

Tasting isn't only done with the tongue. Smelling actually plays a large part in what you taste. The nose has two holes called nostrils. The nostrils open up into the nasal cavity which in turn opens up into the throat. The nasal cavity is covered in mucus called the nasal mucosa. The fragrances that enter the nostrils disolve in the nasal mucosa, much like sugar disolves in tea. The taste senses are located on the tongue. The sensory cells in the tongue can discern five kinds of flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. When you are eating or drinking the flavors disolve in the saliva. They come into contact with the taste buds and impulses travel to the brain. This is how you can taste food. When you are eating a banana, a piece of candy or an ice cream, the taste senses taste something sweet every time. Still you can taste the difference between these sweet foods. The reason for this is you really taste with all your senses. The tongue also has a sense of touch and hot and cold senses. This way you can 'feel' what food you are eating. Before and while you are eating you can also smell the fragrances entering your nasal cavity. Your eyes can identify the food before it even comes close to your mouth. Your ears can hear the soft sizzling of a carbonated drink.

Answer the following questions about the text:

1. True or false?

Tasting is only done with the tongue.

A. True

B. False

2. What is the name of the mucus that covers the inside of the nasal cavity?

A. Smelling mucus

B. Nasal mucosa

C. Hollow slime

3. How many different tastes can we taste?

A. 2

B. 5

C. 12

4. When you eat and drink flavors dissolve in the saliva. Why is this important?

A. Because they are dissolved in the saliva they can come into contact with the taste buds.

B. Because they are dissolved in the saliva they can get swallowed more easily.

C. Because they are dissolved in the saliva they can go through the Eustachian tube into the nasal cavity.

5. Which senses do you use when identifying different flavors?

A. Your sense of hearing, smell and taste.

B. Your sense of hearing, feeling, taste and sight.

C. Your sense of feeling, smell, hearing, taste and sight.