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Essay on Science Experiement

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Perceptions of Flavours Based on Taste and Smell

Section 1: The Proposal

Aim:
To investigate whether perception of flavours is dependent on both taste and smell by using 3 different jellybean flavours.

Hypothesis:
It is hypothesised that the perception of flavours is dependent on both smell and taste i.e. one cannot distinguish the flavour of a food unless they can both taste and smell.

Method:
Risk Assessment- A health hazard for subjects was that it was possible that the subjects would be in risk of choking from eating the jellybeans. In order to minimise this risk, subjects were asked to take their time when tasting the jellybeans. 1. The 30 jellybeans; 6 licorice flavoured, 6 lime flavoured, 6 orange flavoured, 6 …show more content…

14. Steps 11-13 was repeated for the rest of the ‘Taste & Smell’ jellybeans. 15. Steps 5-14 were repeated for the other 2 subjects. The results were recorded.

Diagram:

Results: Test | Jelly bean flavour | Subject 1 | Subject 2 | Subject 3 | Taste | Licorice | √ | √ | √ | | Lime | X | X | X | | Orange | X | √ | X | | Strawberry | √ | X | X | | Watermelon | √ | X | X | Taste and Small | Licorice | √ | √ | √ | | Lime | √ | √ | X | | Orange | √ | X | X | | Strawberry | √ | X | √ | | Watermelon | √ | √ | √ |
Discussion:
Controlled variable(s): * Same number of jellybeans in each container * Same size/type of container * Same amount of water drunk after every taste test * Same sized jellybeans
Dependent variable: * Number of correct flavour perceptions
Independent variable: * Type of test

Trends from results
Referring to the results shown in the graph, there are several trends that can be identified. With their eyes covered and their noses plugged, the subjects could rarely determine which flavour of jellybean they were testing. However, when the subjects were to taste the jellybeans without their noses plugged, the results shown to be more successful; with one subject being able to determine all five jellybean flavours. Therefore, it can be concluded that the perception of flavour is dependent on both taste and smell.

Accuracy
A measuring cup was used to

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