phenylthiourea
/ˌfɛnəlˌθaɪoʊjʊˈriːə/
noun
- A chemical compound used in genetic research to test the ability to taste bitter flavors; some people can taste it and others cannot due to a genetic difference.
- The ability to taste phenylthiourea is inherited and varies among different populations.
- In biology class, we used phenylthiourea to see who in the class could taste bitterness.
- Phenylthiourea has no smell but tastes very bitter to about 70% of people.