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Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
Sensation01:21

Sensation

Sensory receptors are specialized neurons that respond to specific types of external stimuli, initiating the process known as sensation. This occurs when sensory input, such as light entering the eye, is detected by these receptors, causing chemical changes in the cells of the retina. These cells then convert the sensory stimulus into action potentials that are transmitted to the central nervous system, a process termed transduction.
Absolute thresholds can quantify the sensitivity of sensory...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
09:53

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Published on: April 23, 2019

Does odour cross contamination alter olfactory thresholds in certain odours?

J A Gaskin1, A M Robinson, C M Philpott

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom. julesgaskin@hotmail.com

Rhinology
|October 16, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Olfactory testing with phenethyl alcohol (PEA), ethylmercaptan (MER), acetic acid (ACE), and eucalyptol (EUC) showed limited cross-contamination. A specific presentation order (PEA, MER, ACE, EUC) prevents odour interference during threshold testing.

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Area of Science:

  • Olfactory psychophysics
  • Sensory science
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Assessing olfactory function requires reliable odorant threshold measurements.
  • Potential odorant cross-contamination or adaptation effects can impact test accuracy.
  • Standardized testing protocols are crucial for valid olfactory assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate cross-contamination between different odorants during olfactory threshold testing.
  • To determine if a delay period is necessary between testing various odorants.
  • To evaluate the impact of high odorant concentration exposure on subsequent threshold measurements.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty-five subjects underwent olfactory threshold testing using serial logarithmic dilutions for phenethyl alcohol (PEA), ethylmercaptan (MER), acetic acid (ACE), and eucalyptol (EUC).
  • Subjects were exposed to high concentrations of PEA, ACE, and EUC on separate occasions.
  • Olfactory thresholds for all four odorants were re-tested post-exposure, and pre- and post-exposure thresholds were compared.

Main Results:

  • Exposure to high concentrations of PEA, ACE, and EUC did not significantly alter olfactory thresholds for other odorants.
  • Minor cross-contamination effects were observed specifically with acetic acid (ACE) and eucalyptol (EUC) under certain conditions.
  • The magnitude of threshold alteration was generally small, within 10-2.

Conclusions:

  • Limited cross-contamination occurs between ACE and EUC, necessitating careful consideration of odorant presentation order.
  • A specific odorant sequence (PEA, MER, ACE, EUC) is recommended to minimize cross-contamination effects.
  • The odorants PEA, MER, ACE, and EUC are suitable for olfactory testing when presented in the recommended order.