Basal cells are actively dividing epithelial cells. The daughter cells of basal cells develop into supporting cells, which subsequently mature into gustatory receptor cells. Because they are easily damaged by the activities that occur in the mouth, gustatory receptor cells are short‐lived and replaced about every ten days.
The various gustatory cells respond to numerous taste sensations such as sweet, bitter, sour, salty, and umami (the taste of some amino acids and aged cheese). Research is determining that there are possibly other taste sensations. All tastes arise from a mixture of the stimulated taste receptors in combination with olfactory sensations. Taste buds on certain areas of the tongue seem to specialize in certain tastes. For example, the sensation of sweetness is best detected at the front of the tongue, while bitterness is best detected at the back of the tongue.