Chapter 17: Special Senses Flashcards
Olfaction.
Chemical sense. Stimulating molecules must be dissolved before interacting with smell receptors.
Why can certain smells evoke strong emotional responses or memories?
These impulses propagate to the limbic system.
Is gustation or olfaction more sensitive?
Olfaction.
Describe adaptation of olfactory receptors.
Olfactory receptors adapt quickly by 50% in the first second of stimulation, and then adapt slowly. Complete insensitivity to certain strong odors occurs a minute after exposure.
Olfactory receptors are located in the olfactory epithelium. Describe the olfactory epithelium.
In superior part of nose. Covers inferior surface of cribriform plate and extends along the superior nasal concha.
What 3 cells are part of the olfactory epithelium?
Olfactory receptor cells, supporting cells, basal cells.
Olfactory receptor cells.
The first order neurons of the olfactory pathway. Bipolar neurons. Exposed dendrite. Axon projects through the cribriform plate that ends in the olfactory bulb.
What are the sites of olfactory transduction?
Nonmotile olfactory cilia, which extend from the dendrites of olfactory receptor cells.
Where are olfactory receptor proteins, and what is their purpose?
In the plasma membranes of the olfactory cilia. Detect inhaled chemicals.
How long do olfactory receptor cells live for, and how are they replaced?
Live for 2 months, and then are replaced by basal cell production.
Supporting cells (olfaction).
Columnar epithelial cells. Located in the mucous membrane lining of the nose. Provide physical support, nourishment, electrical insulation for olfactory receptor cells, and help detoxify chemicals that come into contact with olfactory epithelium.
Basal cells (olfaction).
Stem cells (neurons). Located between bases of supporting cells. Continually undergo cell division to produce new olfactory receptor cells.
Olfactory glands.
Bowman’s glands. Located within connective tissue of olfactory epithelium. Produce mucus to moisten surface of olfactory epithelium and dissolve odorants.
How are tears and a runny nose produced after inhaling certain substances (pepper, vapours)?
Supporting cells and olfactory glands are innervated by parasympathetic neurons within branches of the facial nerve –> impulses of facial nerve stimulate lacrimal glands in eyes and nasal mucous glands in nose.
How many olfactory receptors are in the human nose?
10 million, with 400 different functional types.
Describe the process of olfaction.
Odorant binds to olfactory receptor protein in olfactory cilium –> G-protein activates adenylyl cyclase to produce cAMP –> opens a cation channel that allows Na+ and Ca2+ to enter the cytosol –> depolarizing receptor potential forms in olfactory receptor cell –> if depolarization reaches threshold, then an AP is generated along the axon of the olfactory receptor cell.
Gustation.
Chemical sense. Simpler than olfaction since there are only 5 primary tastes.
What are the 5 primary tastes?
Salty, sour, sweet, bitter, umami.
Salty taste.
Caused by Na+ ions.
Sour taste.
Caused by H+ ions released from acids.
Sweet taste.
Caused by sugars and artificial sweeteners.
Bitter taste.
Caused by a wide variety of substances (caffeine, morphine, quinine) and poisonous substances (strychnine).
Umami taste.
Caused by amino acids. Results in a meaty and savoury taste.
What flavour enhancer results in an umami taste?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Which foods combine all 5 primary tastes?
Chocolate, coffee, pepper.
Which taste has the lowest threshold, and why?
Bitter. Protective function for poisons.
Which tastes have the highest threshold?
Salty and sweet.
Compete adaptation to a specific taste can occur in:
1-5 minutes of continuous stimulation.
Where are the receptors for taste sensations located?
In taste buds in tongue, soft palate, pharynx and epiglottis.
Taste buds on the tongue are found in:
Papillae, which increase surface area and provide rough texture of tongue.
Vallate papillae.
Circumvallate papillae. Very large. Each one contains 100-300 taste buds. 12 papillae form an inverted V-shaped row at the back of the tongue.
Fungiform papillae.
Mushroom-shaped. Each one contains 5 taste buds. Scattered over entire tongue.
Foliate papillae.
Located in small trenches on lateral margins of tongue. Most of their taste buds degenerate in early childhood.
Filiform papillae.
Pointed and threadlike. Contain tactile receptors but no taste buds. Increase friction between tongue and food. Cover the entire tongue.
Each taste bud is an oval body consisting of 3 kinds of epithelial cells:
Supporting cells, gustatory cells, basal cells.
Supporting cells (gustation).
Surround 50 gustatory receptor cells in each taste bud, and develop into gustatory receptor cells.
Gustatory receptor cells.
Gustatory microvilli project from each cell to the external surface through the taste pore. Synapse with dendrites of first order neurons of gustatory pathway, which branch and contact many gustatory receptor cells in several taste buds.
How long do gustatory receptor cell live for, and how are they replaced?
10 days. Replaced by supporting cells.
Basal cells (gustation).
Stem cells. Located in the periphery of the taste bud. Produce supporting cells.
Describe the process of gustation.
Tastant dissolves in saliva –> makes contact with PM of gustatory microvilli –> depolarizing receptor potential –> exocytosis of synaptic vesicles from gustatory receptor cell –> NTs trigger graded potentials that produce nerve impulses in first order sensory neurons that synapse with gustatory receptor cells.
Describe the process of gustation for salty taste.
Na+ ions enter gustatory receptor cells via Na+ channels in PM –> accumulation of Na+ inside the cell causes depolarization –> NT release.
Describe the process of gustation for sour taste.
H+ ions enter gustatory receptors via H+ channels –> accumulation of H+ inside the cell causes depolarization –> NT release.
Describe the process of gustation for sweet, bitter and umami tastes.
Tastants do not enter gustatory receptor cells. Tastants bind to receptors on PM that are linked to G-proteins –> G-proteins activate enzymes that produce IP3 –> IP3 causes depolarization of gustatory receptor cell –> NT release.
How can different tastes be detected in all parts of the tongue?
Each taste bud contains gustatory receptor cells for each type of tastant.
More than half the sensory receptors in the human body are located:
In the eyes.
Wavelength.
Distance between two consecutive peaks of a wave.
Eyes detect visible light with wavelengths ranging from:
400-700 nm.
How is colour perceived by the eye?
Colour depends on wavelength. The object will appear the colour of the wavelength that is reflected.
Functions of the eyelids (palpebrae).
Shade the eyes during sleep, protect the eyes from excessive light and foreign objects, spread lubrication secretions over the eyeballs.
Which muscle is in the upper eyelid?
Levator palpebrae superioris.
Palpebral fissure.
Space between upper and lower eyelids that exposes the eyeball.
Lateral commissure of eye.
Narrow angle of palpebral fissure. Closer to temporal bone.
Medial commissure of eye.
Broad angle of palpebral fissure. Closer to nasal bone.
Lacrimal caruncle.
Small red elevation in medial commissure. Contains sebaceous glands and sudoriferous glands.
Tarsal plate.
Thick fold of connective tissue that gives form and support to eyelids.
Tarsal glands.
Meibomian glands. Located in each tarsal plate. Contain modified sebaceous glands. Secrete a fluid that helps the eyelids from adhering to each other.
Infection of tarsal glands.
Produces a tumor/cyst in the eyelid, otherwise known as a chalazion.
Conjunctiva.
Thin protective mucous membrane. Consists of nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and goblet cells. Supported by areolar connective tissue.
Palpebral conjunctiva.
Lines the inner aspect of eyelids.
Bulbar conjunctiva.
Passes from the eyelids onto the surface of the eyeball where it covers the sclera (white of eye). It is vascular over the sclera.
What causes bloodshot eyes?
Dilation and congestion of blood vessels of bulbar conjunctiva due to local irritation or infection.
What lubricates the hairs of the eyelashes?
Sebaceous ciliary glands at the base of the hair follicles.
What causes a sty?
Infection of sebaceous ciliary glands at the base of eyelashes.
Lacrimal apparatus.
Group of structures that produces and drains lacrimal fluid during lacrimation (crying).
Describe the process of lacrimation.
Lacrimal glands secrete lacrimal fluid –> drains into 6-12 excretory lacrimal ducts –> empties onto the surface of the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid –> tears pass medially over the anterior surface of the eyeball to enter lacrimal puncta (2 small openings) –> superior and inferior lacrimal canaliculi –> lacrimal sac –> nasolacrimal duct –> nasal cavity –> mixes with mucus.
Describe the size and shape of a lacrimal gland.
Almond-like.
Dacryocystitis.
Bacterial infection of lacrimal sacs. Blocks nasolacrimal ducts.
What innervates the lacrimal glands?
Parasympathetic fibres of facial nerves.
Lacrimal fluid.
Watery solution. Contains salts, mucus, lysosomes. Protects, cleans, lubricates and moistens the eyeball.
How is lacrimal fluid spread medially over the eyeball?
Blinking.
How much lacrimal fluid does each lacrimal gland produce each day?
1 mL
How does an irritating substance making contact with conjunctiva produce watery eyes?
Parasympathetic stimulation –> excessive secretion of lacrimal fluid by lacrimal glands.
How does an inflammation of the nasal mucosa produce watery eyes?
Obstructed nasolacrimal ducts –> blocked drainage of tears to nose.
Orbits.
Bony depressions of the skull that protect the eyes, stabilize the eyes in 3D space, and anchor the eyes to muscles that produce their essential movements.
Extrinsic eye muscles.
Extend from the orbit to the sclera. Are surrounded by periorbital fat.
How many extrinsic eye muscles move each eye?
6
The wall of the eyeball consists of 3 layers:
1) Fibrous tunic. 2) Vascular tunic. 3) Inner tunic (retina).
Fibrous tunic.
Outer layer of the eyeball. Consists of anterior cornea and posterior sclera.
Cornea.
Curved transparent coat that covers the coloured iris. Helps focus light onto the retina.
Outer surface of cornea consists of which type of cell?
Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
Middle coat of cornea consists of which cells?
Collagen fibres and fibroblasts.
Inner surface of cornea consists of which type of cell?
Simple squamous epithelium.
The central part of the cornea is important for what function?
Receiving oxygen.
Sclera.
White of eye. Layer of dense connective tissue made of collagen fibres and fibroblasts. Covers entire eyeball except the cornea.
What are the functions of the sclera?
Gives the eyeball its shape to make it more rigid. Protects the inner eyeball. Is the site of attachment of extrinsic eye muscles.
Scleral venous sinus.
Canal of Schlemm. Opening at junction of sclera and cornea.
Which fluid drains into the scleral venous sinus?
Aqueous humour.
Vascular tunic.
Middle layer of the eyeball. Composed of choroid, ciliary body and iris.
Choroid.
Highly vascular. Posterior part of vascular tunic. Lines internal surface of sclera.
What are the functions of the choroid?
Provides nutrients to the posterior surface of the retina. Contains melanocytes that produce melanin. Absorbs stray light rays. Prevents reflection and scattering of light within the eyeball.
Ciliary body.
Anterior part of vascular tunic. Appears dark brown due to melanocytes. Consists of ciliary processes and the ciliary muscle.
What becomes the ciliary body?
Choroid.
Ciliary processes.
Protrusions or folds on the internal surface of the ciliary body. Contain blood capillaries that secrete aqueous humor. Zonular fibres extend from these processes.
Ciliary muscle.
Circular band of smooth muscle. Contraction increases the tightness of zonular fibres to alter the shape of the lens for near/far vision.
Iris.
Coloured part of eyeball. Flattened-donut shape. Suspended between cornea and lens. Attached to ciliary processes. Consists of melanocytes and circular and radial smooth muscle fibres. Regulates the amount of light entering the eyeball through the pupil.
What regulates pupil diameter in response to light levels?
Autonomic reflexes of iris.
Why does the pupil appear black?
Heavily pigmented back of eye.
Why do eyes look red in some photographs?
If bright light is directed into the pupil, the reflected light is red because of the blood vessels on the surface of the retina.