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Related Concept Videos

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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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.
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Olfaction01:25

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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.
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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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Introduction to Special Senses01:26

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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...
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Characteristics of Life01:23

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Biology is a natural science that studies life and living organisms, including their structure, function, development, interactions, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. The field's scope is extensive and divided into several specialized disciplines, such as anatomy, physiology, ethology, genetics, and many more. All living things share a few key traits, including cellular organization, heritable genetic material and the ability to adapt/evolve, metabolism to regulate energy needs, the...
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Tactile and Chemical Senses01:27

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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.
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Author Spotlight: Examining Volatile Sex Pheromone Influence on Male C. elegans Behavior
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Olfaction, pheromones and life.

E E Hoskison1

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|November 28, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Olfaction, the sense of smell, profoundly influences human life from birth to old age. This ancient sense impacts evolution, survival, and overall quality of life.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Sensory Science

Background:

  • Olfaction is a fundamental and ancient sensory system with a pervasive influence on life.
  • Pheromonal signaling plays a significant role in various biological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the comprehensive influence of olfaction and pheromones across the human lifespan.
  • To explore the evolutionary significance of the olfactory system.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was performed across major biomedical databases including MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Ovid.
  • The search covered publications from 1966 to 2013, ensuring a broad historical scope.

Main Results:

  • Olfaction significantly impacts individuals from infancy through adulthood and into old age.
  • Sensory perception through smell influences culture, memory formation, emotional responses, and life enjoyment.
  • The sense of smell is integral to human evolution and survival.

Conclusions:

  • Olfaction exerts a continuous influence throughout human life, from beginning to end.
  • The sense of smell is a critical determinant of quality of life, human evolution, survival, and enjoyment.