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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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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

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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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Osmoregulation in Insects01:47

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Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.
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Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Whole Mount Immunolabeling of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Drosophila Antenna
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Evolution of olfactory circuits in insects.

Zhilei Zhao1,2, Carolyn S McBride3,4

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA. zhileiz@princeton.edu.

Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology
|January 28, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Insect olfactory circuit evolution reveals changes in sensory neuron number and tuning, impacting odorant responses. Further research using genetic tools will explore central circuit evolution and its link to behavior.

Keywords:
Drosophila sechelliaEvolutionInsectsNeural circuitsOlfaction

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Neural circuit evolution is a rapidly growing field.
  • Comparing diverse species reveals brain variations but linking long-term changes to behavior is challenging.
  • Studying closely related species offers complementary insights into evolutionary processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review research on insect olfactory circuit evolution over short evolutionary timescales.
  • To examine patterns and general principles in olfactory circuit evolution across insects.
  • To highlight the role of peripheral and central circuit changes in adapting to ecological and social factors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of several decades of research on insect olfactory circuits.
  • Detailed case studies of Drosophila sechellia flies and Heliothis moths.
  • Cataloging examples of circuit evolution from various insect species.

Main Results:

  • Changes in sensory neuron number and tuning at the periphery are common, enhancing responses to ecologically relevant odorants.
  • Central circuit processing changes are important in specific cases.
  • The development of genetic tools in non-model species is expected to reveal broader roles for central circuit evolution.

Conclusions:

  • Peripheral modifications in olfactory circuits are a primary mechanism for adapting to new odorant stimuli.
  • Central circuit evolution plays a significant role, which will be further elucidated by advanced genetic tools.
  • Future research should utilize genetic tools to establish causal links between brain evolution and behavior in insects.