Smakscellene
Smakscellene (taste cells) are specialized sensory cells that detect chemical compounds dissolved in saliva and convey information about taste to the nervous system. They reside mainly within taste buds, small clusters located on the tongue's surface in the fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae, and also on the soft palate, pharynx, and epiglottis. A taste bud contains several gustatory receptor cells, along with supporting and basal cells.
Taste receptor cells are categorized into three main types. Type II receptor cells detect sweet, bitter, and
Signal transduction: Sweet, umami, and bitter receptors recruit G-protein signaling (gustducin), activate PLCβ2, IP3, release Ca2+,
Innervation and central processing: Taste signals are carried by the chorda tympani (CN VII) for the anterior
Regeneration and clinical relevance: Taste cells renew continuously, with an estimated turnover of about 10–14 days