To discover the anatomy of the mouth.
To illustrate which parts of the tongue play a role in the detection of flavors. (Note: The division of the tongue into zones that detect specific flavors is criticized by scientists.)
To understand that the taste of a food is the result of the presence of specific molecules (sapid molecules) which are liberated when the food dissolves in saliva.
To locate the three types of gustatory papillae on the tongue. One also mentions that there are some gustatory papillae on the palate and at the bottom of the throat.
To observe gustatory papillae in cross section, as well as the locations of the taste buds and nerve fibers.
To observe the detection of the sapid molecules by the taste buds, and the propagation of nerve messages toward the brain, by way of nerve fibers.