Chapter 14 (M. Wolfe)

Question 1

1. How is the olfactory epithelium involved in odor perception?

Answer 1

The olfactory epithelium contains three types of cells that allow it to detect odorants in the inspired air.

Question 2

3. Explain the role of the olfactory bulbs in odor perception.

Answer 2

The olfactory bulbs are the first sites in the brain where olfactory information is processed.

Question 3

How is the limbic system involved in odor perception?

Answer 3

The limbic system is involved in many aspects of emotion and memory. It has direct and strong connections to the olfactory system, which explains the strong relationship between emotion, memory, and odor perception.

Question 4

What two kinds of processes are thought to be involved in the perception of odor mixtures?

Answer 4

The two processes involved in the perception of odor mixtures are analysis and synthesis.

Question 5

What is odor hedonics?

Answer 5

It is the liking dimension of odor perception. It is typically measured with scales pertaining to an odorant’s perceived pleasantness, familiarity, and intensity.

Question 6

Explain the role of the orbitofrontal cortex in odor perception.

Answer 6

It is responsible for processing olfaction. It is also the area of the brain that is critical for assigning affective value to stimuli (i.e., liking or disliking), and for determining hedonic meaning

Question 7

Amygdala-hippocampal complex

Answer 7

The conjoined regions of the amygdala and hippocampus, which are key structures in the limbic system. This complex is critically involved in the unique emotional and associative properties of olfactory cognition.

Question 8

Anosmia

Answer 8

The total inability to smell, most often resulting from sinus illness or head trauma.

Question 9

Cognitive habituation

Answer 9

The psychological process by which, after long-term exposure to an odor, one no longer has the ability to detect that odor or has very diminished detection ability.

Question 10

Cross-adaptation

Answer 10

The reduction in detection of one odorant following exposure to another odorant.

Question 11

Ipsilateral

Answer 11

Referring to the same side of the body (or brain).

Question 12

Mitral cell

Answer 12

The deepest layer of neurons in the olfactory bulb. Each responds only to a few specific odorants.

Question 13

Odorant

Answer 13

A molecule that is defined by its physicochemical characteristics, which is capable of being translated by the nervous system into the perception of a smell.

Question 14

Olfactory sensory neuron (OSN)

Answer 14

One of three cell types—the main one—in the olfactory epithelium. Small neurons located beneath a mucous layer in the epithelium

Question 15

Olfactory tract

Answer 15

The bundle of axons of the mitral and tufted cells within the olfactory bulb that sends odor information to the primary olfactory cortex.

Question 16

Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)

Answer 16

The part of the frontal lobe of the cortex that lies behind the bone containing the eyes. Responsible for the conscious experience of olfaction, as well as the integration of pleasure and displeasure from food.

Question 17

Retronasal olfaction

Answer 17

Perceiving odors through your mouth while breathing and chewing. This occurs when we are smelling something that is inside our mouth and is what gives us the experience of flavor.

Question 18

Vomeronasal organ (VNO)

Answer 18

A chemical sensing organ at the base of the nasal cavity with a curved tubular shape. Evolved to detect chemicals that cannot be processed by ORs, such as large and/or aqueous molecules, the types of molecules that constitute pheromones.