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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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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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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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Phase I Reactions: Oxidation of Aliphatic and Aromatic Carbon-Containing Systems01:19

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Phase I biotransformation reactions are integral to drug metabolism, predominantly involving oxidative, reductive, and hydrolytic transformations. Chief among these are oxidative reactions, which enhance the hydrophilicity of xenobiotics and introduce polar functional groups to facilitate their elimination from the body.
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Factors Affecting Drug Biotransformation: Biological01:19

Factors Affecting Drug Biotransformation: Biological

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Biological factors significantly impact drug metabolism, influencing drug clearance, efficacy, and potential toxicity.
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Drug Metabolism: Phase I Reactions01:17

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A phase I reaction is a biochemical process that introduces a functionally reactive polar group to a substance. This transformation predominantly occurs in the liver, facilitated by the cytochrome P450 system of hemoproteins situated in the lipophilic endoplasmic reticulum of cells. The metabolite generated through this process can have varying polarities. If it is sufficiently polar, it can be easily excreted in the urine due to its water compatibility. However, if the metabolite is nonpolar,...
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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 Metabolism in Humans.

Nicole Kornbausch1, Marcel W Debong1, Andrea Buettner1,2

  • 1Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Department of Chemistry, Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 9, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|May 6, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Odorant metabolism in the human body is not well understood. This review explores odorant uptake, biotransformation pathways, and excretion, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research in nutrition, medicine, and biochemistry.

Keywords:
BiotransformationEnzymesFlavorInhibitorsOlfaction

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Human Physiology
  • Metabolomics

Background:

  • Odorants are small molecules readily absorbed by the human body.
  • Limited research exists on odorant metabolism, pathways, and bioactivities.
  • Understanding odorant biotransformation is crucial for various scientific disciplines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on odorant metabolism in the human body.
  • To highlight the importance of interdisciplinary research in this field.
  • To provide a comprehensive overview of odorant uptake, biotransformation, and excretion.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on odorant metabolism.
  • Analysis of enzymes involved in odorant biotransformation.
  • Examination of odorant processing in different human body parts (oral cavity, nose, LRT, GIT).

Main Results:

  • Odorants undergo uptake and distribution throughout the human body.
  • Specific enzymes facilitate odorant metabolism.
  • Biotransformation occurs in the oral cavity, nose, lower respiratory tract (LRT), and gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

Conclusions:

  • Further interdisciplinary research is needed to fully understand odorant biotransformation.
  • Investigating odorant metabolism can bridge nutrition, medicine, biochemistry, chemistry, and sensory sciences.
  • Elucidating odorant pathways and bioactivities is essential for future scientific advancements.