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To Taste Or Not To Taste?

To Taste Or Not To Taste?. PTC: Genes and Bitter Taste Ms. Z 1/8/10. Phenylthiocarbamide. Accidentally discovered in 1931 by Arthur Fox. Tastes extremely bitter to some people but not others. Chemical structure resembles toxins found in plants. The PTC Gene.

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To Taste Or Not To Taste?

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  1. To Taste Or Not To Taste? PTC: Genes and Bitter Taste Ms. Z 1/8/10

  2. Phenylthiocarbamide • Accidentally discovered in 1931 by Arthur Fox. • Tastes extremely bitter to some people but not others. • Chemical structure resembles toxins found in plants.

  3. The PTC Gene • The ability to taste PTC is determined by a single gene, which codes for a taste receptor on your tongue. • There are 2 alleles: taster (T) or non-taster (t). • For the PTC gene: • How many genotypes are possible? • How many phenotypes are possible?

  4. To Taste Or Not To Taste? • You will inventory the PTC-tasting trait in your family and build a pedigree. • Are you testing for genotype or phenotype?

  5. Evolutionary Importance of Bitter Taste • Many natural bitter substances are toxins. • Plants produce many toxins in order to protect themselves from being eaten. • Bitter taste evolved in early humans to prevent consumption of poisonous plants.

  6. Health Applications • People who find PTC bitter may be less likely to smoke, because they find the taste of cigarettes bitter. • The ability to taste PTC may also correlate to food preferences.

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