All GRE Subject Test: Psychology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Gustation
Patients with which of the following disorders are sometimes known to develop hypersensitivity of taste: hypergeusia?
Myasthenia gravis
Anosmia
Addison's disease
Schizophrenia
Broca's insufficiency
Addison's disease
Addison's disease, a chronic disorder of the endocrine system, is caused by an inability of the adrenal glands to produce sufficient steroid hormones (specifically, two types of necessary natural corticosteroids). In addition to causing renal insufficiency and muscle weakness, Addison's has been known to idiopathically—through an unknown mechanism—hyper-sensitize one or more senses in the body, most commonly taste.
Example Question #1 : Gustation
Which of the following is true regarding taste receptors that correspond to salty and sour dimensions of taste?
They respond to PROP
None of these
They are ion sensors
They respond to MSG
They are similar to odorant receptors in olfactory mucosa
They are ion sensors
The receptors for salty and sour are believed to be ion sensors. MSG stimulates receptors corresponding to unami. PROP causes an intense bitter sensation in "supertasters." Sweet and bitter receptors are believed to be similar to odorant receptors because molecules dock on transmembrane receptors in order to initiate an action potential.