Which part of the nervous system is responsible for perceiving flavors from substances?

The gustatory system is specifically responsible for perceiving flavors from substances. This system includes taste receptors found on the tongue that respond to different chemical substances in food and beverages. These receptors detect a variety of taste modalities, such as sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami, allowing us to experience and differentiate the flavors of various items we consume.

The gustatory system works in conjunction with the olfactory system, which handles the sense of smell. Although both systems play a critical role in flavor perception, the gustatory system is the primary mechanism through which taste is recognized and processed. This distinction is vital because while the olfactory system contributes to the overall flavor experience through aroma, the actual taste sensations are processed solely by the gustatory receptors.

Other options, such as the visual system and the somatosensory system, pertain to different sensory functions—vision and touch, respectively—and do not play a direct role in flavor perception. Thus, the identification of the gustatory system as the correct choice is based on its exclusive function in detecting flavors through taste receptors.