Chapter 17 Flashcards
Olfaction
Sense of smell.
Olfactory epithelium
Where the receptors for olfaction are located. Occupies the superior part of the nasal cavity, covering the inferior surface of the cribriform plate and extending along the superior nasal concha.
What three kinds of cells does the olfactory epithelium consist of?
- Olfactory receptor cells
- Supporting cells
- Basal cells
Olfactory receptor cells
Are the first-order neurons of the olfactory pathway. Are bipolar neurons with an exposed, knob-shaped dendrite and an axon projecting through the cribriform plate that ends in the olfactory bulb.
Olfactory cilia
Extend from the dendrites of olfactory receptors. Sites of olfactory transduction.
Olfactory receptor
Proteins that detect inhaled chemicals.
Odorants
Chemicals that bind to and stimulate the olfactory receptors in the olfactory cilia.
Supporting cells (of the olfactory epithelium)
Columnar epithelial cells of the mucous membrane that line the nose. They provide physical support, nourishment, and electrical insulation for the olfactory receptor cells and help detoxify chemicals that come in contact with the olfactory epithelium.
Basal cells (of the olfactory epithelium)
Stem cells located between the bases of the supporting cells. They continually undergo cell division to produce new olfactory receptor cells, which live for only about two months before being replaced.
Olfactory glands
AKA Bowman’s glands; produce mucus that is carried to the surface of the epithelium by ducts. The secretion moistens the surface of the olfactory epithelium and dissolves odorants so that transduction can occur.
Olfactory transduction
Binding of an odorant molecule to an olfactory receptor protein activates a G protein and adenylyl cyclase, resulting in the production of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Cyclic AMP (cAMP) opens cation channels, and Na+ and Ca2+ ions enter the olfactory receptor cell. The resulting depolarization may generate an action potential, which propagates along the axon of the olfactory receptor cell.
Adaptation
Decreasing sensitivity.
Gustation
Sense of taste. Is a chemical sense.
What are the five primary tastes? And how are each of the tastes produced?
- Salty: is caused by the presence of sodium ions (Na+) in food.
- Sour: is produced by hydrogen ions (H+) released from acids.
- Sweet: is elicited by sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose and by artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose.
- Bitter: is caused by a wide variety of substances, including caffeine, morphine, and quinine. In addition, many poisonous substances like strychnine have a bitter taste.
- Umami: described as “meaty” or “savory.” Is elicited by amino acids (especially glutamate) that are present in food.
Taste bud
Where the receptors for taste are located. Most are found on the tongue, and some are found on the soft palate, pharynx, and epiglottis.
What three kinds of epithelial cells make up taste buds?
- Supporting cells
- Gustatory cells
- Basal cells
Supporting cells (of the taste buds)
Surround about 50 gustatory receptor cells in each taste bud.
Gustatory receptor cells
At their base they synapse with dendrites of the first-order neurons that form the first part of the gustatory pathway. The dendrites of each first-order neuron branch profusely and contact many gustatory receptor cells in several taste buds. Has a life span of about 10 days.
Gustatory microvilli
AKA gustatory hairs; project from each gustatory receptor cell to the external surface through the taste pore, an opening in the taste bud. Sites of taste transduction.
Basal cells (of the taste buds)
Stem cells that are found at the periphery of the taste bud near the connective tissue layer. Produce supporting cells, which then develop into gustatory receptor cells.
Papillae
AKA papilla; elevations of the tongue where taste buds are found. Increase the surface area and provide a rough texture to the upper surface of the tongue.
What are the three types of papillae that contain taste buds?
- Vallate papillae
- Fungiform papillae
- Foliate papillae
Vallate papillae
AKA circumvallate papillae; about 12 very large, circular elevations that form an inverted V-shaped row at the back of the tongue. Each of these papillae houses 100–300 taste buds.
Fungiform papillae
Mushroom-shaped elevations scattered over the entire surface of the tongue that contain about five taste buds each.