Ultrastructure of the tastebuds of the red-eared turtle, Chrysemys scripta elegans

The fine structure of the turtle tastebud has been examined by light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. It contains five types of cells on the basis of their cytological features, designated types 1,2,3,A, and B. Types 1, 2, and 3 reach the taste pore, whereas types A and B are located basally. The type 2 cell has access to the tongue surface, i.e., the site of gustatory stimuli, and also synapses onto afferent nerves; it probably is a gustatory receptor cell and corresponds to the so-called "light" cell observed in other vertebrate tastebuds. Some cells may be differentiating. In support of this hypothesis, light microscopic autoradiography shows that postmitotic cells occur in the tastebuds within 24 hours after administration of H³ -thymidine. The tastebuds of the turtle are similar to those of other vertebrates described electron-microscopically.