Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Table of Contents - 2008 - Volume 31, Issue 01  

Open Peer Commentary

Taste quality coding in vertebrate receptor molecules and cells

Linda M. Kennedya1 and Kristina M. Gonzaleza1

a1 Neuroscience Laboratory, Lasry Center for the Biosciences, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610. lkennedy@clarku.edu kgonzalez@clarku.edu

Abstract

Recent work on receptor molecules and cells used prototypical sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami stimuli. Labeled-line coding was supported, but it remains possible that the molecules and cells could respond to other tastants. Studies with other tastants are needed. The sensory message might contain two codes – one for attraction or aversion, the other, across-fiber patterning of stimulus quality.

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