When a snake flicks its tongue,the tips of the forked tongue pass through openings in the palate and contact sensory cells in the snout.How would this help a snake detect its prey?
A) The snout touches the prey, stimulating mechanoreceptors that let the snake identify the prey.
B) The snake can taste its prey when it bites it to tell if it is edible.
C) The motion of the tongue moves air over the snake's snout, helping it to smell.
D) The tongue touches the prey, stimulating mechanoreceptors that let the snake identify the prey.
E) Odor molecules from the prey are brought to the snake's receptors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The snake essentially uses it tongue as a collector of odor molecules, concentrating them to increase perception and sensitivity.

When a Snake Flicks Its Tongue,the Tips of the Forked