Question

In what way(s) is the sense of taste like the sense of smell? A. There are four primary stimulus groups for both senses. B. Both systems are routed through the thalamus on the way to the cortex. C. The physical stimuli for both senses are chemical substances dissolved in fluid. D. All of the above. E. None of the above.

Short answer

Answer: The physical stimuli for both senses are chemical substances dissolved in fluid.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Senses of Taste and Smell

To answer this question, it is important to understand how the senses of taste and smell work. Both senses are considered chemical senses, as they involve the detection of chemical substances in the environment. The sense of taste detects flavors in food and drinks, while the sense of smell detects odors in the air.

Analyze Each Option

A: There are four primary stimulus groups for both senses. This is not correct. While it's true that there are four primary tastes (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter), there are many more odors that can be detected by the sense of smell. B: Both systems are routed through the thalamus on the way to the cortex. This is not correct. While the sense of taste does pass through the thalamus on its way to the cortex, the sense of smell bypasses the thalamus and directly connects to the cortex. C: The physical stimuli for both senses are chemical substances dissolved in fluid. This is correct. The sense of taste detects chemical substances dissolved in saliva, while the sense of smell detects chemical substances dissolved in the mucus in the nasal cavity. D: All of the above. This is not the correct answer, as options A and B are incorrect. E: None of the above. Since option C is correct, this answer cannot be true.

Choose the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis in Step 2, the correct answer is C: The physical stimuli for both senses are chemical substances dissolved in fluid.