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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...
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...
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...
Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic01:15

Cholinergic Receptors: Nicotinic

Nicotinic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that are activated by acetylcholine and nicotine. Upon activation, they cause a rapid increase in the permeability of cells to K+, Na+, and Ca2+, followed by depolarization and excitation. They are in the autonomic ganglia, skeletal neuromuscular junction, CNS, and adrenal medulla.
There are two types of nicotinic receptors: neuromuscular (NM/NM/N1) and neuronal (NN/NN/N2). The two families differ based on their location and selectivity to...
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants01:23

Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants


Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
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,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons
12:19

Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons

Published on: June 24, 2015

Cellular basis for the olfactory response to nicotine.

Bruce Bryant, Jiang Xu, Valery Audige

    ACS Chemical Neuroscience
    |July 11, 2012
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Nicotine activates olfactory sensory neurons through a canonical pathway, not nicotinic receptors. This finding in human and rat models aids in developing smoking alternatives.

    Keywords:
    Odoradenylate cyclasecyclic nucleotide gated channelsmokingtobaccotransduction

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    Live Imaging of Nicotine Induced Calcium Signaling and Neurotransmitter Release Along Ventral Hippocampal Axons
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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Sensory Biology
    • Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Smoking behavior is influenced by sensory cues, independent of nicotine's pharmacological effects.
    • Understanding nicotine's olfactory detection mechanisms is crucial for developing smoking alternatives.
    • Olfactory stimulation significantly contributes to tobacco smoke flavor.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To characterize nicotine sensitivity and response mechanisms in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs).
    • To investigate cellular mechanisms of olfactory nicotine detection in humans and rats.
    • To determine if nicotine acts via canonical olfactory pathways or nicotinic cholinergic receptors.

    Main Methods:

    • Biophysical methods were used to study human and rat OSNs.
    • Calcium influx and adenylate cyclase activation were measured.
    • Patch clamp recordings identified nicotine-activated ion channels.

    Main Results:

    • Both human and rat OSNs showed concentration-dependent calcium influx and adenylate cyclase activation upon exposure to S(-)-nicotine.
    • Rat OSNs exhibited some stereoselectivity to nicotine enantiomers, while human OSNs were less stereoselective.
    • Nicotinic cholinergic antagonists did not affect nicotine responses, and a non-specific cation channel was activated by nicotine in rat OSNs.

    Conclusions:

    • Nicotine activates a canonical olfactory receptor pathway on OSNs, not nicotinic cholinergic receptors.
    • Rodent models are suitable for studying nicotine sensation due to similarities with human mechanisms.
    • Findings may inform the development of novel smoking cessation strategies.