THE TONGUE OF A GOAT/SHEEP/COW.

Part of the body it is located

• Mouth/buccal cavity

Describe the tongue

• Pink in colour
• Long and narrow
• Soft and flexible
• The upper surface is rough due to the presence of projections called papillae

Name the organ systems in which the tongue is found.

• The digestive system
• Nervous system/Irritability/sense organ for taste.

Name groups/types of taste buds in the tongue

The various regions of the tongue and their specialised tastes

• The tip: most sensitive to sweet
• The sides: sour and salty
• Back: bitter

Draw 8-10cm long of the tongue (of goat/sheep) provided, and in your diagram, indicate the various regions of the tongue and their specialised tastes

Adaptive features of the tongue

• Papillae /Taste buds to taste and choose food
• Long to move and handle chewed food
• Flexible to handle food

Note the differences between the upper and lower surfaces

• The upper surface of the tongue is rough due to the presence of projections called papillae.
• Sensory cells for taste occur in groups.
• Each group of taste-sensitive cells forms what is called a taste bud.
• Taste buds occur in-between papillae on the upper surface of the tongue.

There are four primary tastes.

These are

• sweet,
• sour,
• salty
• bitter

If a tongue is burnt with too much hot food, the individual may find food tasteless because the taste buds are destroyed.

Functions of the tongue

• Tastes food
• Mixes food
• Swallowing of food
• Directs food
• The tongue is involved in the mechanical digestion of food

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