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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...
Communication01:03

Communication

Communication between two animals occurs when one animal transmits an information signal that causes a change in the animal that receives the information. Organisms communicate with one another in a host of different ways. Signals can be auditory, chemical, visual, tactile, or a combination of these. Communication is a critical behavioral adaptation that promotes survival, growth, and reproduction.
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...
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...
Osmoregulation in Insects01:47

Osmoregulation in Insects

Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.
Yeast Signaling01:28

Yeast Signaling

Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Single Sensillum Recordings for Locust Palp Sensilla Basiconica
07:16

Single Sensillum Recordings for Locust Palp Sensilla Basiconica

Published on: June 23, 2018

Olfactory signalling in vertebrates and insects: differences and commonalities.

U Benjamin Kaupp1

  • 1Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, Bonn, Germany. u.b.kaupp@caesar.de

Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|February 11, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Vertebrates use G protein-coupled receptors for smell, while insects utilize a unique ion channel complex. These distinct chemosensory receptor mechanisms impact neuronal signaling and processing speed.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Single Sensillum Recordings for Locust Palp Sensilla Basiconica
07:16

Single Sensillum Recordings for Locust Palp Sensilla Basiconica

Published on: June 23, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Olfactory receptor mechanisms
  • Comparative neurobiology
  • Chemosensation in invertebrates and vertebrates

Background:

  • Vertebrates and insects possess complex chemosensory systems for odour detection.
  • Vertebrate chemosensory receptors are primarily G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
  • Insect olfactory receptors are structurally distinct, functioning as both odorant receptors and ion channels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare and contrast the molecular mechanisms of chemosensory receptors in vertebrates and insects.
  • To highlight the functional differences between metabotropic and ionotropic signaling pathways in olfaction.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of chemosensory receptor structures and genetic relationships.
  • Review of cellular signaling cascades initiated by odorant binding.
  • Examination of the functional consequences of distinct receptor types on neuronal signaling.

Main Results:

  • Vertebrate GPCRs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, leading to neuronal excitation.
  • Insect olfactory receptors form a complex acting as an ion channel directly gated by odorants.
  • Metabotropic signaling in vertebrates allows for complex regulation, while insect ionotropic signaling offers rapid processing.

Conclusions:

  • Significant evolutionary divergence exists in chemosensory receptor systems between vertebrates and insects.
  • The distinct molecular architectures of vertebrate and insect receptors underlie fundamental differences in olfactory processing speed and regulatory complexity.