An adult has approximately how many taste buds?

An adult typically has around 3,000 taste buds, which serves as the basis for the correct answer. Taste buds are sensory organs found primarily on the tongue but also in other areas of the mouth and throat, playing a crucial role in the perception of taste. Each taste bud consists of taste receptor cells that respond to different taste modalities such as sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.

This number, while variable among individuals, provides a general understanding of the density of taste receptors that contribute to the sense of taste. Factors such as age, health, and smoking can influence the number of taste buds an individual has, but the typical count for adults hovers around this figure.