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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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Gravitropism: Plant Responses to Gravity
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...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 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

Evolutionary grass roots for odor recognition.

Tsviya Olender1, Doron Lancet

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.

Chemical Senses
|June 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genetic variations in olfactory receptors (ORs) influence how humans perceive specific odors. This study demonstrates how individual genetic differences in ORs affect the recognition of a grassy scent.

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Last Updated: May 21, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Olfactory receptor genetics
  • Human genomics
  • Chemosensation

Background:

  • Odorant recognition is linked to variations in olfactory receptor (OR) proteins.
  • In vitro studies provide evidence, but human genetic variation studies are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of interindividual sequence variations in olfactory receptors on human odorant recognition thresholds.
  • To demonstrate the role of human genomics in understanding olfactory perception.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of human individuals with different genetic variants of olfactory receptors.
  • Measurement of odorant recognition thresholds for a specific grassy odorant.

Main Results:

  • Specific sequence changes in olfactory receptors were found to directly impact the recognition of a grassy odorant.
  • Interindividual differences in ORs correlate with variations in odor perception.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variations in olfactory receptors significantly influence human odor perception.
  • Human genomics provides powerful tools for deciphering the mechanisms of olfactory perception.