Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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...
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effects of microwave treatment on the physicochemical properties, structure, and in vitro digestibility of sweet potato starch-lipid complexes with different fatty acid chain lengths.

Journal of the science of food and agriculture·2026
Same author

A bilayer theranostic hydrogel integrating visual pH monitoring with synergistic diabetic wound healing treatment.

Journal of materials chemistry. B·2026
Same author

Microbial-Associated Food Web Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals Potentiates Health Risks in a Mining-Impacted Subtropical Yuanjiang-Red River Basin.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same author

Development of a river habitat quality index (RHQI) framework for dry-hot valleys: Unraveling driving mechanisms and management implications.

Journal of environmental management·2026
Same author

Fermi-level depinning achieved by high-work-function Au<sub>1-x</sub>Se<sub>x</sub> alloy contacts for high-performance p-type WSe<sub>2</sub> transistors.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Emodin Exerts Dual Hepatoprotective/Hepatotoxic Effects Dependent on Metabolic Microenvironment via Gut-Liver Axis Crosstalk: A Multi-Omics Study in MAFLD and Normal Mice.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
09:53

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

Published on: April 23, 2019

Insect Odorant Receptors: From Structure and Evolution to Mechanism and Application.

Jinfeng Hua1, Huifeng Li1, Yongmei Huang1

  • 1Department of Sweet Potato Genetic Breeding and Application, Institute of Maize Research, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, China.

Insects
|May 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Insect odorant receptors (ORs) and co-receptors (Orco) form ion channels, revealing their structure, evolution, and bimodal signaling. This advances understanding of insect olfaction and pest management strategies.

Keywords:
Orcocryo–EMinsect olfactionmolecular evolutionodorant receptorreverse chemical ecologysignal transductionstructure–function relationship

More Related Videos

Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization
09:30

Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization

Published on: July 13, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
09:53

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

Published on: April 23, 2019

Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization
09:30

Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization

Published on: July 13, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Insect odorant receptors (ORs) are crucial for detecting environmental chemicals, guiding behaviors like foraging and mating.
  • Recent cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures have elucidated the architecture of OR-Orco complexes and their function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent breakthroughs in insect olfaction research, integrating structural, evolutionary, and functional data.
  • To provide a framework for understanding the molecular basis of olfaction and its biotechnological applications.

Main Methods:

  • High-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine OR-Orco complex structures.
  • Evolutionary genomics to study OR diversification.
  • In vivo functional validation studies.
  • Integration of structural data with classical knowledge of ORs.

Main Results:

  • Established the 1:3 stoichiometry of functional OR-Orco heterocomplexes.
  • Revealed the ligand-binding pocket architecture and gating dynamics.
  • Reconciled signal transduction via a unified bimodal system (ligand-gated ion channel and IP3 cascade).
  • Provided insights into OR evolution and lineage-specific expansion.

Conclusions:

  • Recent structural and functional studies have revolutionized the understanding of insect olfaction.
  • This knowledge facilitates structure-guided applications, including pest management strategies using RNAi and CRISPR.
  • The review offers a comprehensive framework for insect olfaction research and biotechnological innovation.