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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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...

Olfaction

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...

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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...

Tactile and Chemical Senses

Tactile and Chemical Senses

Tactile senses encompass touch, temperature, and pain, each mediated by specific receptors. Touch receptors detect mechanical energy or pressure against the skin. Sensory fibers from these receptors enter the spinal cord and relay information to the brain stem. Here, most fibers cross over to the opposite side of the brain. The touch information then moves to the thalamus, which projects a map of the body's surface onto the somatosensory areas of the parietal lobes in the cerebral cortex. This...

Introduction to Sensory Receptors

Introduction to Sensory Receptors

Sensory receptors are vital in our ability to perceive and interpret the world. Sensory receptors are specialized cells in the peripheral nervous system that respond to various stimuli and enable one to experience different sensations. Based on specific criteria, sensory receptors are classified into distinct types.
The first classification criterion is based on cell type, position, and function. Some receptor cells are neurons with free nerve endings, where their dendrites are embedded in the...

Somatosensation

Somatosensation

The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor

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

Sensitive and wafer-scale olfactory sensory neurons.

Wenjian Zhang¹, Hegeng Li¹, Zhixiang Hu¹

¹School of Integrated Circuits, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.

Microsystems & Nanoengineering

|June 2, 2026

Summary

Researchers developed an artificial olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) for efficient gas sensing. This neuromorphic device achieves high sensitivity and selectivity for applications in robotics and AI-driven olfaction.

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Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice

Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice

Published on: December 27, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Perforated Patch-clamp Recording of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons in Intact Neuroepithelium: Functional Analysis of Neurons Expressing an Identified Odorant Receptor

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

Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice

Whole Mount Labeling of Cilia in the Main Olfactory System of Mice

Published on: December 27, 2014

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Neuroscience

Background:

Accurate and energy-efficient gas sensing is crucial for advanced artificial olfactory systems.
Biological olfactory neurons offer inspiration for selectivity and low-power processing.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop an integrated artificial olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) with high sensitivity, selectivity, and neuromorphic output.
To enable efficient gas detection for applications like robotics and wearable electronics.

Main Methods:

Integrated an iodine-passivated colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) receptor layer with a high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) platform.
Utilized the HEMT's low subthreshold swing and high on/off ratio for signal amplification and spike generation.
Employed principal component analysis (PCA) for gas differentiation.

Main Results:

Achieved an ultralow detection limit of 0.5 ppb for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
Successfully differentiated NO₂ from nitric oxide (NO).
Demonstrated signal stability and neuromorphic spiking output.

Conclusions:

Established a scalable approach for neuromorphic olfactory modules.
Enabled compact, high-performance sensing for AI-driven olfaction.
Paved the way for advancements in robotics, environmental monitoring, and healthcare.