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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...
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...
Auditory Perception01:17

Auditory Perception

The auditory system is essential for sound perception, utilizing various critical structures. When sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear, where three tiny bones – the malleus, incus, and stapes – amplify the sound. This amplification is crucial, as it ensures that the sound vibrations are strong enough to be conveyed to the inner ear. These vibrations then reach the cochlea, a...
Tactile and Chemical Senses01:27

Tactile and Chemical Senses

Tactile senses encompass touch, temperature, and pain, each mediated by specific receptors. Touch receptors detect mechanical energy or pressure against the skin. Sensory fibers from these receptors enter the spinal cord and relay information to the brain stem. Here, most fibers cross over to the opposite side of the brain. The touch information then moves to the thalamus, which projects a map of the body's surface onto the somatosensory areas of the parietal lobes in the cerebral cortex. This...
Introduction to Special Senses01:26

Introduction to Special Senses

Sensory receptors play an integral part in comprehending our external and internal environments. They receive diverse stimuli, converting them into the nervous system's electrochemical signals. This conversion occurs as the stimulus alters the sensory neuron's cell membrane potential, instigating the generation of an action potential. This action potential is subsequently transmitted to the central nervous system (CNS), which integrates with other sensory data or higher cognitive functions.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Constructing an Olfactometer for Rodent Olfactory Behavior Studies
08:36

Constructing an Olfactometer for Rodent Olfactory Behavior Studies

Published on: April 11, 2025

How keeping active pays off in the olfactory system.

Kevin Monahan1, Stavros Lomvardas

  • 1is in the Department of Anatomy , University of California , San Francisco , USA.

Elife
|December 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary

A newly discovered protein in mouse olfactory epithelium promotes the survival of active odor-sensing neurons. This protein extends the lifespan of neurons that are frequently stimulated, unlike those that are not.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The main olfactory epithelium (MOE) houses odor-sensing neurons responsible for detecting smells.
  • Neuronal lifespan is crucial for maintaining sensory function, but the regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • Activity levels are known to influence neuronal survival in various systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of a specific protein in the survival of olfactory sensory neurons.
  • To determine if neuronal activity influences the lifespan of these sensory neurons.
  • To identify molecular mechanisms regulating olfactory neuron longevity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mouse models to study the main olfactory epithelium.
  • Employed techniques to assess neuronal activity and lifespan.
Keywords:
Mouseepigeneticshistoneolfactory

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  • Investigated the expression and function of a key protein within olfactory neurons.

    • Main Results:

    • A specific protein was identified in the main olfactory epithelium.
    • This protein significantly extends the lifespan of active odor-sensing neurons compared to inactive ones.
    • Neuronal activity positively correlates with the expression or function of this survival-promoting protein.

    Conclusions:

    • The identified protein is a critical regulator of olfactory sensory neuron lifespan.
    • Neuronal activity is a key factor in promoting the survival of olfactory neurons through this protein.
    • Findings provide insights into maintaining olfactory sensory function and neuronal health.