Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Psychophysical Tracking Method to Measure Taste Preferences in Children and Adults
Published on: July 16, 2016
Mechanisms for sweetness
John D Fernstrom1, Steven D Munger, Anthony Sclafani
1University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. fernstromjd@upmc.edu
Abstract:
A remarkable amount of information has emerged in the past decade regarding sweet taste physiology. This article reviews these data, with a particular focus on the elucidation of the sweet taste receptor, its location and actions in taste transduction in the mouth, its nontaste functions in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., in enteroendocrine cells), and the brain circuitry involved in the sensory processing of sweet taste. Complications in the use of rodents to model human sweet taste perception and responses are also considered. In addition, information relating to low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) is discussed in the context of these issues. Particular consideration is given to the known effects of LCS on enteroendocrine cell function.
Related Concept Videos
The Physiology of Taste
Gustation
Glucose Transporters
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Taste Buds and Receptors
Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules
Sugars as Energy Storage Molecules

