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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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.
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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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Using Single Sensillum Recording to Detect Olfactory Neuron Responses of Bed Bugs to Semiochemicals

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Insect olfactory receptor responses to components of pheromone blends.

R J O'Connell¹, J T Beauchamp, A J Grant

¹The Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, 01545, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

Journal of Chemical Ecology

|December 6, 2013

Summary

Insect pheromone communication relies on complex chemical signals. This study reveals that olfactory receptor neurons in male moths (Trichoplupia ni) process these signals in ways not always predictable from individual components.

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Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Electrophysiological Measurements from a Moth Olfactory System

Published on: March 29, 2011

Area of Science:

Entomology
Neuroscience
Chemical Ecology

Background:

Multicomponent pheromone systems are prevalent in insects.
Understanding neural encoding of complex olfactory stimuli is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the electrical activity of olfactory receptor neurons in male cabbage looper moths (Trichoplupia ni).
Analyze responses to single- and multiple-component pheromone stimuli.

Main Methods:

Recorded electrical activity from pheromone-sensitive sensilla on moth antennae.
Utilized seven behaviorally active compounds in single and blend stimuli.
Varied stimulus intensities to assess dose-response relationships.

Main Results:

Observed electrical responses in olfactory receptor neurons to pheromone components.
Some pheromone blends elicited responses that deviated from predictions based on individual components.
Neural processing of complex odor blends is not strictly additive.

Conclusions:

The neural encoding of insect pheromones involves complex interactions beyond simple summation of individual component responses.
This highlights sophisticated olfactory processing mechanisms in insects for mate finding.