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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.
The olfactory...
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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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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.
Sensory...
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The Physiology of Taste01:24

The Physiology of Taste

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The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the...
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Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism01:30

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism

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Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that play a vital role in intercellular communication and functions of the nervous system. They allow the influx of ions across the membrane once the neurotransmitter binds, allowing the subsequent transmission of electrical excitation across the neurons. Other ligand-gated ion channels, like the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, permit anions like chloride into the cells on the binding of the GABA molecule. Their entry into the cell...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 20, 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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Odorant Receptor Inhibition Is Fundamental to Odor Encoding.

Patrick Pfister1, Benjamin C Smith1, Barry J Evans1

  • 1Firmenich Incorporated, 250 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|May 30, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Odorant receptor (OR) antagonism is common in the nose, frequently altering how the brain perceives complex smells. This widespread inhibition shapes olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) activity before signals even reach the brain.

Keywords:
G protein-coupledantagonismodor mixturesodorantolfactionreceptorsensory neurons

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Live-cell Measurement of Odorant Receptor Activation Using a Real-time cAMP Assay
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Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor
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Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor

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Last Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
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Live-cell Measurement of Odorant Receptor Activation Using a Real-time cAMP Assay
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Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor
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Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor

Published on: July 13, 2015

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfaction Research
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • Natural odors are complex volatile mixtures.
  • Odorant receptors (ORs) on olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) detect these volatiles.
  • The role of OR antagonism in shaping neuronal responses is poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the prevalence and impact of OR antagonism.
  • Determine the degree of disruption to OR ensemble activity.
  • Assess the conservation of OR antagonism across related receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Calcium imaging microscopy of dissociated OSNs.
  • Single-cell transcriptomics to identify specific ORs.
  • In vitro testing of identified ORs with a large odorant panel.
  • Mathematical modeling of competitive receptor binding.

Main Results:

  • 36 odorants significantly inhibited OSN responses to indole.
  • Three paralogous receptors (Olfr740, Olfr741, Olfr743) were identified.
  • Over half of 800 tested odorants antagonized at least one of ten ORs.
  • OR antagonism occurred frequently and combinatorially, fitting competitive binding models.

Conclusions:

  • OR antagonism is a frequent and integral component of olfactory processing.
  • Receptor-mediated computation of odorant mixtures occurs in the olfactory epithelium.
  • This pre-transmission processing significantly influences odor information sent to the brain.