Reason for Puckering?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Gordon - 29 Apr 2005 23:36 GMT

I was just wondering why we pucker when we drink something sour.

Am I correct in thinking it's to use our lips to protect our teeth from the
acids that make the sour taste?

Reply to this Message

Sbharris[atsign]ix.netcom.com - 29 Apr 2005 23:41 GMT

was just wondering why we pucker when we drink something sour.

Am I correct in thinking it's to use our lips to protect our teeth from
the
acids that make the sour taste?

COMMENT:

Nobody knows, but note that the puckering action also is what you use
to work up saliva. Since sour things also are great for increasing
saliva production, I presume both actions have to do with trying to
*dilute* the acid.

Reply to this Message

Mark & Steven Bornfeld - 30 Apr 2005 17:35 GMT

> was just wondering why we pucker when we drink something sour.
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> saliva production, I presume both actions have to do with trying to
> *dilute* the acid.

It's tough to reason this on a teleological basis. It may in fact have
been protective at one time, but I can't see any real adaptive value for
the world we live in today.

Steve

Signature

Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

Reply to this Message

bae@cs.toronto.no-uce.edu - 30 Apr 2005 21:41 GMT

>> was just wondering why we pucker when we drink something sour.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>been protective at one time, but I can't see any real adaptive value for
>the world we live in today.

People pucker and salivate when they taste something unpleasantly
bitter or astringent, too. Generating more saliva makes it easier
to spit all of a noxious substance out.

Reply to this Message

PF Riley - 30 Apr 2005 22:28 GMT

>I was just wondering why we pucker when we drink something sour.
>
>Am I correct in thinking it's to use our lips to protect our teeth from the
>acids that make the sour taste?

Another thing to consider: Try swallowing while you're puckering. Not
very easy. Perhaps it's a reflex that prevents swallowing.

Now can anyone figure out why it's impossible to sneeze with your eyes
open? I'm stumped on this one.

PF

Reply to this Message

Sbharris[atsign]ix.netcom.com - 01 May 2005 03:12 GMT

>>Now can anyone figure out why it's impossible to sneeze with your eyes

open? I'm stumped on this one. <<

Not impossible, but very hard. Perhaps nature is trying to protect you
from a poke in the eye while engaged in rapid reflexive head motion.

Reply to this Message

David Wright - 01 May 2005 03:18 GMT

>>>Now can anyone figure out why it's impossible to sneeze with your
>eyes
>open? I'm stumped on this one. <<
>
>Not impossible, but very hard. Perhaps nature is trying to protect you
>from a poke in the eye while engaged in rapid reflexive head motion.

Are you able to keep your eyes open while sneezing? I've tried to do
it, but I can't.

-- David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net
These are my opinions only, but they're almost always correct.
"His staff loves to say Bush is a man who doesn't know the
meaning of the word 'quit.' Well, apparently he's not all
that conversant with the word 'shame' either." (Will Durst)

Reply to this Message

David Wright - 01 May 2005 03:17 GMT

>>I was just wondering why we pucker when we drink something sour.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Now can anyone figure out why it's impossible to sneeze with your eyes
>open? I'm stumped on this one.

I've always assumed it evolved as a protective reflex -- sneezing can
kick up dust, which you don't want in your eyes.

-- David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net
These are my opinions only, but they're almost always correct.
"His staff loves to say Bush is a man who doesn't know the
meaning of the word 'quit.' Well, apparently he's not all
that conversant with the word 'shame' either." (Will Durst)

Reply to this Message