Variations of Womens Phenylthiocarbamide - Thesis Proposal Example

In line with this, Fareed, Shah and Hussain (2012) confirmed that there are more female PTC tasters than males. Women, in general, can be classified as tasters or non-taster of PTC. Specifically, the primary purpose of this laboratory proposal is to analyse the PTC threshold of my female classmates. As such, this study aims to answer the question as to whether or not ethnic or racial considerations could somehow affect the ability of women to taste PTC. Likewise, it will also answer whether or not PTC concentration affects the tasters’ and non-tasters ability to taste PTC.

The laboratory test is composed of two rounds. The first round will require each participant to taste the six (6) tasting solutions at a lower concentration. The second round will require each participant to taste the six (6) tasting solutions at a higher concentration. Regardless of age, 20 female students will be invited to participate in the laboratory tests. To learn more about the health status of each participant, each one of them will be requested to check their history of illnesses (i.e. diabetes, COPD, sinusitis, etc.). Before the test, each research participant will be instructed not to smoke, eat, or drink for at least an hour (Hong et al., 2005).

About age and ethnicity or race, the PTC taster status, taste threshold, and taste recognition threshold will be measured in each participant. Participants who recognize the bitterness of PTC solution at a concentration of < 1.80 x 10-4 M will be classified as PTC tasters (Hong et al., 2005). Before tasting each sample, participants must rinse their mouths using distilled water. 

Approximately 5 ml of each taste solution will be given to each participant for tasting. Eventually, each one of them will be required to determine whether or not the solution tastes bitter, sweet, sour, salty, or umami. The first trial's results will be compared with the second to determine any wrong responses.