eli5: how does salt maintain its salty properties when dissolved in water?

Question

I understand that the polar nature of water molecules pulls apart the ions of the salt. I don’t understand how when the salt is dissolved it’s properties remain. wouldn’t the breakdown of the salt molecules into its separate ions make it a different substance and not salt anymore?
thank you!!

In: 2

Answer 1

the sensation of saltiness comes from the ions themselves. taste buds, like any other receptor depend on a liquid layer to allow for interface with molecules. you can sense saltiness not only from nacl, but from other salts. It’s the ions shape and charge which dictates the sensation.