The evolution of bitter taste receptors has been one of the most dynamic evolutionary adaptations to arise in multiple species. This phenomenon has been widely studied in the field of evolutionary biology because of its role in the identification of toxins often found on the leaves of inedible plants. A palate more sensitive to these bitter tastes would, theoretically, have an advantage over members of the population less sensitive to these poisonous substances because they would be much less likely to ingest toxic plants. Bitter-taste genes have been found in a host of vertebrates, including sharks and rays,[1] and the same genes have been well characterized in several common laboratory animals such as primates and mice, as well as in humans. The primary gene responsible for encoding this ability in humans is the TAS2R gene family which contains 25 functional loci as well as 11 pseudogenes. The development of this gene has been well characterized, with proof that the ability evolved before the human migration out of Africa.[2] The gene continues to evolve in the present day.
^Itoigawa, Akihiro; Toda, Yasuka; Kuraku, Shigehiro; Ishimaru, Yoshiro (2024-04-08). "Evolutionary origins of bitter taste receptors in jawed vertebrates". Current Biology. 34 (7): R271–R272. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.024.
^Davide Risso; Sergio Tofanelli; Gabriella Morini; Donata Luiselli & Dennis Drayna (2014). "Genetic variation in taste receptor pseudogenes provides evidence for a dynamic role in human evolution". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 14 (1): 198. Bibcode:2014BMCEE..14..198R. doi:10.1186/s12862-014-0198-8. PMC 4172856. PMID 25216916.
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The evolution of bittertaste receptors has been one of the most dynamic evolutionary adaptations to arise in multiple species. This phenomenon has been...
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Quinine is also known for its bittertaste and is found in tonic water. Bitterness is of interest to those who study evolution, as well as various health...
property that it either tastes very bitter or is virtually tasteless, depending on the genetic makeup of the taster. The ability to taste PTC is often treated...
therefore much of the perceived "bitterness" of these vegetables is mediated through TAS2R38.[dubious – discuss] Bittertaste receptors in the TS2R family...
Taste receptor 2 member 38 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TAS2R38 gene. TAS2R38 is a bittertaste receptor; varying genotypes of TAS2R38...
PMID 7626029. Fischer A, Gilad Y, Man O, Pääbo S (March 2005). "Evolution of bittertaste receptors in humans and apes". Mol. Biol. Evol. 22 (3): 432–6...
W.G., "The Evolution of Bitter and the Acquisition of Toxiphobia", in: Olfaction and Taste, vol V, 2010, ISBN 0323148611 p. 39 Evolution and Learning...
LB, Drayna D (Apr 2004). "Natural selection and molecular evolution in PTC, a bitter-taste receptor gene". American Journal of Human Genetics. 74 (4):...
predisposed our primate ancestors to seek out sweet-tasting (and energy-dense) foods and avoid bitter-tasting foods. Even amongst leaf-eating primates, there...
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malt profile and typically have a sweet, caramel or toffee-like taste, low bitterness and amber to red colour - hence the name. Irish brewers have increasingly...
resemble broccoli, but do not form a large head. Rapini is known for its bittertaste, and is particularly associated with Mediterranean cuisine. Native to...
oil, is prepared from either sweet or bitter almonds, and is a glyceryl oleate with a slight odour and a nutty taste. It is almost insoluble in alcohol but...
case only the flesh around the seeds will have no bittertaste. The rest of the fruit will tastebitter. This is due to a different process in tannin neutralization...
"bile", referring to its bittertaste, similar to bile. The mushroom is commonly known as the "bitter bolete" or the "bitter tylopilus". The cap of this...
vary in color and, unlike D. carota subsp. sativus, has a thin root, bittertaste and are not edible. The middle umbellet of D. carota subsp. carota is...
the monks produced an elixir of herbs that was pleasant despite being "bitter", and was popularly thought to possess tonic and therapeutic properties...
the general sensation and perception of taste can be separated into submodalities of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, spicy, and umami, all of which are based...
others find pleasant. Association between its taste and several other genes, including a bitter-taste receptor, have also been found. Some people are...
defense mechanism, cucumbers produce cucurbitacin C, which causes a bittertaste in some cucumber varieties. This potential mechanism is under preliminary...
a taste for the strong, pungent wine and continued to produce resinated wine long after the Western Roman Empire stopped. The difference in taste between...
corresponding amino acids, and are the major source of the bittertaste of roasted coffee. The bitter flavor of diketopiperazines is perceptible at around 20 mg/liter...
exceptionally malty taste accented by sweet malty undertones due to the heavy concentration of esters. Generally low in bitterness, it exhibits a deep...
Brazil. It has a bittertaste and is usually consumed cooked. The plant takes 75 days to reach maturity. Plants vary in size, shape, taste, etc. 'Liberian...
have five different types of tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. As such animals have evolved, the tastes that provide the most energy (sugar...
bittertastes. Their taste buds possess the receptors needed to detect umami. However, these receptors contain molecular changes that make cat taste umami...
mouth syndrome, a taste disturbance lasting from a few days to a few weeks after consumption. A bitter, metallic, unpleasant taste is reported. There...
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