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Related Concept Videos

Gustation01:43

Gustation

Gustation is a chemical sense that, along with olfaction (smell), contributes to our perception of taste. It starts with the activation of receptors by chemical compounds (tastants) dissolved in the saliva. The saliva and filiform papillae on the tongue distribute the tastants and increase their exposure to the taste receptors.
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...
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory organs,...
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...
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
The Physiology of Taste01:24

The Physiology of Taste

The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the diffusion of...

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Related Experiment Video

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Electrophysiological Recording From Drosophila Labellar Taste Sensilla
06:32

Electrophysiological Recording From Drosophila Labellar Taste Sensilla

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Acid sensing by the Drosophila olfactory system.

Minrong Ai1, Soohong Min, Yael Grosjean

  • 1Molecular Neurobiology Program, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA.

Nature
|November 19, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Fruit flies detect acidity using specific olfactory sensory neurons that express the ionotropic receptor 64a (IR64a). Disrupting these neurons impairs acid detection and avoidance, revealing a dedicated pathway for sensing acids.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory system research
  • Insect sensory biology

Background:

  • The sensory mechanisms underlying the perception of acidity are not well understood.
  • Acids possess a distinct odor quality, often described as sharp, pungent, and irritating.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the cellular and molecular basis of acid detection in the olfactory system of Drosophila melanogaster.
  • To investigate how acidity is sensed and translated into behavioral responses.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized in vivo calcium imaging to monitor neuronal activity.
  • Genetically manipulated olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing IR64a in fruit flies.
  • Assessed physiological and behavioral responses to acidic and non-acidic odorants.

Main Results:

  • Identified a specific population of OSNs expressing IR64a that are highly selective for acids.
  • Demonstrated that IR64a+ neurons projecting to the DC4 glomerulus are activated by acids.
  • Found that disruption of IR64a+ neurons or the IR64a gene impairs acid-evoked responses but not responses to other odorants.
  • Showed that artificial stimulation of IR64a+ neurons elicits avoidance behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Established IR64a+ neurons as key players in peripheral acid detection in Drosophila.
  • Provided evidence for a labeled-line coding mechanism for acidity in the olfactory system.
  • Highlighted the role of ionotropic receptors in detecting specific chemical stimuli.