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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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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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Communication between two animals occurs when one animal transmits an information signal that causes a change in the animal that receives the information. Organisms communicate with one another in a host of different ways. Signals can be auditory, chemical, visual, tactile, or a combination of these. Communication is a critical behavioral adaptation that promotes survival, growth, and reproduction.
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Olfactory signaling in insects.

Dieter Wicher1

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Department Evolutionary Neuroethology, Jena, Germany.

Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
|January 28, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Insects detect volatile chemicals using odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), and ionotropic receptors (IRs). This review details the cellular signaling mechanisms underlying olfactory detection in insects.

Keywords:
GPCRIonotropic receptorOdorantOlfactionOrcoReceptorSensory neuron

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Area of Science:

  • Insect olfaction
  • Chemical sensing
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Insects utilize three main receptor types for volatile chemical detection: odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), and ionotropic receptors (IRs).
  • These receptors form heteromeric complexes, with ORs and GRs exhibiting a 7-transmembrane topology, distinct from the ligand-gated ion channel nature of IRs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cellular signaling events involved in ligand detection by insect olfactory receptors.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of volatile chemical information processing in insects.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on insect olfactory receptor function.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways associated with ORs, GRs, and IRs.
  • Examination of receptor assembly and activation mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • ORs, GRs, and IRs are involved in detecting diverse volatile cues, including pheromones and carbon dioxide.
  • ORs, which are evolutionarily recent, can be sensitized via metabotropic signaling, aiding in odor tracking.
  • Pheromone detection involves specialized receptors and accessory proteins, with signaling influenced by stimulus parameters and circadian rhythms.

Conclusions:

  • Insect volatile detection integrates both ionotropic and metabotropic signaling pathways.
  • Understanding these cellular mechanisms is crucial for comprehending insect behavior and chemical communication.