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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...
Incomplete Dominance01:43

Incomplete Dominance

Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles, which...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 23, 2019

Effect of genetic variation in Kv1.3 on olfactory function.

Martina Guthoff1, Otto Tschritter, Daniela Berg

  • 1Medical Clinic, Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nephrology and Angiology, Clinical Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen, Germany.

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews
|June 3, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Genetic variations in the Kv1.3 gene are linked to reduced olfactory function in healthy males. This olfactory dysfunction correlates with impaired glucose metabolism, suggesting a connection between genes, smell, and blood sugar.

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Testing for Odor Discrimination and Habituation in Mice
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High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

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

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

Published on: April 23, 2019

Testing for Odor Discrimination and Habituation in Mice
06:41

Testing for Odor Discrimination and Habituation in Mice

Published on: May 5, 2015

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity
12:02

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity

Published on: June 2, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Olfactory function declines with age and in diabetes mellitus, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
  • The voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.3 is implicated in insulin regulation, olfactory bulb expression, and olfaction.
  • Kv1.3's role in glucose metabolism in mice and humans suggests a potential link to olfactory dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that a functionally relevant polymorphism in Kv1.3 may alter olfactory function.
  • To explore the association between Kv1.3 genetic variation, olfactory performance, and glucose metabolism parameters.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 94 healthy subjects (58 male, 36 female) for olfactory function.
  • Genotyped subjects for the Kv1.3 polymorphism rs2821557.
  • Assessed glucose metabolism parameters (HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose) and olfactory function using standardized sniffing sticks.

Main Results:

  • A significant olfactory impairment was observed in male homozygous carriers of the Kv1.3 rs2821557 polymorphism (p=0.018).
  • Olfactory dysfunction correlated significantly with higher HbA1c (p=0.004) and fasting plasma glucose (p=0.001).
  • Olfactory function declined with age (p=0.006), but gender, BMI, and insulin sensitivity did not significantly affect smelling function.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variation in Kv1.3 is associated with decreased olfactory function in healthy individuals.
  • The interplay between olfactory function, glucose metabolism, and Kv1.3 genetic variation warrants further investigation.
  • Clarifying the pathogenic mechanisms linking these factors is crucial for understanding olfactory dysfunction.