Two Students Studying Physiology Taste a Known "Bitter" Substance, and Both

question 57

Multiple Choice

Two students studying physiology taste a known "bitter" substance, and both report sensing bitterness. They then sample another substance. Student A reports sensing both a bitter taste and a salty taste, but student B reports only a salty taste. What is the most logical explanation?

• A) Student A had an allergic reaction to the food, causing him to perceive the food as being bitter.
• B) Student A has normal "bitter" taste buds; student B has defective "bitter" taste buds that result in lower sensitivity to bitterness.
• C) Student A has a protein receptor capable of detecting a bitter molecule found in that substance, whereas student B lacks that particular protein receptor.
• D) Student A has normal saliva, whereas student B's saliva is more alkaline than normal.

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Definitions:

Dismantling Studies

Research studies designed to analyze the effectiveness of individual components of a treatment or intervention to identify which elements are most critical for producing desired outcomes.

Active Ingredients

The crucial components of a treatment that are responsible for its effectiveness.

Multicomponent Therapy

A therapeutic approach that integrates several different techniques and components to address multiple aspects of a disorder or issue.

Mediation Studies

Research focused on the examination of processes through which interventions or variables produce their effects, often used in conflict resolution and peace studies.