How Your Tongue Works

Front

How does the tongue help you eat?

Back

Moves food around in your mouth so teeth can grind it up.

Front

What are the small bumps on your tongue called?

Back

Papillae.

Front

What other organ helps you taste?

Back

Nose.

Front

Can a dry tongue taste?

Back

No.

Front

How many taste buds do we have?

Back

10,000.

Front

What is the main function of the tongue?

Back

To help in tasting, swallowing, and moving food.

Front

What are taste buds?

Back

Tiny sensory organs on the tongue that detect taste.

Front

What are the five basic tastes?

Back

Sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Front

How does the tongue help in speaking?

Back

It helps form words by moving and shaping sounds.

Front

What happens when food touches the taste buds?

Back

They send signals to the brain to identify the taste.