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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

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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

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.
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Odor coding in the mammalian olfactory epithelium.

Smija M Kurian1, Rafaella G Naressi2, Diogo Manoel1

  • 1Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.

Cell and Tissue Research
|January 7, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Mammalian noses use complex odorant receptor (OR) codes to detect scents. Recent research reveals that antagonist interactions add new complexity to this olfactory coding system.

Keywords:
AntagonistCombinatorial codeOdor codingOdorantOlfactionReceptorSmell

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Area of Science:

  • Olfactory neuroscience
  • Chemical senses
  • Mammalian sensory systems

Background:

  • The olfactory system enables animals to detect and interpret scents for environmental navigation.
  • Odor detection relies on olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) expressing odorant receptors (ORs).
  • Combinatorial coding, where different odorants activate unique OR ensembles, explains distinct odor perception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of antagonist interactions in olfactory coding.
  • To understand the complexity of odorant-receptor interactions.
  • To investigate new mechanisms in mammalian odor perception.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing advanced technologies to study odorant-receptor interactions.
  • Analyzing the activation patterns of ORs in response to various odorants and concentrations.
  • Investigating the impact of antagonist compounds on OR activation.

Main Results:

  • Confirmed that different odorants and concentrations activate specific OR ensembles.
  • Demonstrated that antagonist interactions significantly contribute to the combinatorial receptor code.
  • Highlighted a new layer of complexity in mammalian odor coding.

Conclusions:

  • Odorant-receptor interactions are more complex than previously understood.
  • Antagonist interactions are crucial for forming the combinatorial code for odor perception.
  • These findings usher in a new era for olfactory research.