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Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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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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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.
The olfactory...
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Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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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.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

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GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
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Osmoregulation in Insects01:47

Osmoregulation in Insects

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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
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Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

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Evolution, developmental expression and function of odorant receptors in insects.

Hua Yan1,2, Shadi Jafari3,4, Gregory Pask5

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|February 9, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Insects utilize a unique olfactory system with odorant receptors (ORs) functioning as ion channels, unlike vertebrate G-protein-coupled receptors. Further research is needed to understand the origins and diversity of this insect chemosensory system.

Keywords:
AntDevelopmentDiversityDrosophilaEvolutionOdorant ReceptorOlfactionOrco

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Area of Science:

  • * Insect olfaction and chemosensory systems
  • * Comparative sensory biology (insects vs. vertebrates)

Background:

  • * Animals use chemosensation to detect environmental cues for survival.
  • * Insect olfactory receptors (ORs) differ fundamentally from vertebrate receptors, forming heteromeric ion channels with a common Orco subunit.
  • * Recent advances illuminate insect olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), revealing species diversity, especially in eusocial insects using pheromones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To review recent progress in understanding insect olfaction.
  • * To highlight the unique Orco-OR system in insects.
  • * To identify knowledge gaps and future research directions in insect chemosensation.

Main Methods:

  • * Review of existing literature on insect olfaction.
  • * Comparative analysis of insect and vertebrate olfactory systems.
  • * Discussion of recent findings on ORN evolution, development, and function.

Main Results:

  • * Insect ORs form heteromeric ion channels with Orco, contrasting with vertebrate G-protein-coupled receptors.
  • * Significant diversity exists in insect olfactory systems, crucial for social communication via pheromones.
  • * Progress has been made in understanding ORN evolution and function.

Conclusions:

  • * The insect Orco-OR system represents a distinct evolutionary path in chemosensation.
  • * Understanding ORN development and the full spectrum of behavioral responses requires further functional studies.
  • * Continued research is essential to fully elucidate the complexities of insect olfactory perception.