No Saliva, No Taste?

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In this activity (4th activity on the page), learners test to see if saliva is necessary for food to have taste. Learners dry their tongues with clean paper towels and then taste samples of salt, sugar, crackers, or other dry foods. Use this activity for any lesson on the senses, particularly taste, as well how saliva breaks down chemicals in food.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Food items - sugar, salt, crackers and other dry foods
  • Clean paper towels
  • Water (for rinsing in between tests)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Cells
    • Human Body
      • The Brain and Nervous System
      • Digestion
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Taste
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Food and Cooking
  • Science Festivals Activity

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • taste
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Chudler, Ph.D., Eric H.

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Eric H. Chudler, 2009