Sensing Sweetness on the Tongue (IMAGE)

Monell Chemical Senses Center

Sensing Sweetness on the Tongue

Caption

Two independent pathways enable taste cells to sense sweet-tasting compounds. The T1R pathway detects both caloric (eg, glucose, sucrose) and non-caloric (eg, saccharin, sucralose) sweet molecules. The T1R-independent 'secondary' pathway senses simple caloric sugars such as glucose and fructose. Disaccharide enzymes in the sweet taste cells break down complex dietary sugars and starch by-products into simple sugars that can activate both pathways.

Credit

Karen Yee, Monell Center

Usage Restrictions

Use credit, no modification without permission

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.