Chapter1

Question 1

What is anosmia?

Answer 1

Lack or lose the ability of smell.

Question 2

What causes specific anosmia?

Answer 2

Inability to smell certain compounds.

Question 3

How does COVID-19 affect the sense of smell?

Answer 3

Virus infects the olfactory epithelium support cells.

Question 4

What is the function of support cells in the olfactory epithelium?

Answer 4

Provide mucus to dissolve odorants and energy for olfactory cilia.

Question 5

What happens to olfactory receptor neurons when support cells die?

Answer 5

Retraction of cilia and altered mucus composition.

Question 6

What is the trigeminal sense?

Answer 6

Sensory innervation of the nose and mouth by the trigeminal nerve.

Question 7

What are some irritative components that stimulate trigeminal nerve endings?

Answer 7

• Capsaicin (spiciness of chilies) * Citric acid (tangling effect) * Menthol (cooling sensation)

Question 8

What is the role of bonding between the virus and receptors in taste loss during COVID-19?

Answer 8

Causes inflammation and degradation of taste receptors.

Question 9

What is miraculin?

Answer 9

A glycoprotein that modifies sour taste to sweet taste.

Question 10

At what pH does miraculin have maximum effect?

Answer 10

pH 4.

Question 11

What is the action of salty and sour tastes in taste buds?

Answer 11

Act directly through ion channels and change the electrical charge.

Question 12

What initiates action potentials in taste cells?

Answer 12

Depolarization of taste bud cells.

Question 13

What is umami?

Answer 13

A savory taste, often associated with monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Question 14

What is taste adaptation?

Answer 14

A decrease in response under constant stimulation.

Question 15

What factors affect taste threshold?

Answer 15

• Temperature * Hunger * Age * Gender * Ethnicity

Question 16

What is the absolute threshold in taste?

Answer 16

The lowest stimulus capable of producing a sensation.

Question 17

What is the recognition threshold?

Answer 17

The level at which a specific stimulus can be recognized.

Question 18

What are the basic tastes?

Answer 18

• Sweet * Sour * Bitter * Salty

Question 19

What is the structure of taste buds?

Answer 19

Contain papillae on tongue surface, mouth, esophagus, trachea, and larynx.

Question 20

What is the difference threshold?

Answer 20

The extent of change in stimulus necessary for a noticeable difference.

Question 21

What is terminal threshold?

Answer 21

The magnitude of stimulus above which there is no increase in perceived intensity.

Question 22

What is the definition of flavor?

Answer 22

The impressions perceived via the chemical senses from a product in the mouth.

Question 23

What are the components of flavor?

Answer 23

• Aromatics (olfactory perceptions) * Basic tastes (gustatory perceptions) * Chemical feeling factors

Question 24

What is the role of cilia in the olfactory mechanism?

Answer 24

They are immersed in mucus and bind to odorant molecules.

Question 25

What is the process of smell transduction?

Answer 25

Activation of receptors on cilia leads to generation of action potentials.

Question 26

What is the difference between orthonasal and retronasal olfaction?

Answer 26

* Orthonasal: Direct sniffing * Retronasal: Odor released through throat while chewing or drinking

Question 27

What is the significance of the minimum number of odorous molecules?

Answer 27

They need to contact receptors for a minimum amount of time to be detected.

Question 28

What happens during smell adaptation?

Answer 28

A decrease in response to constant olfactory stimulation.

Question 29

What is the sensation from molecules in taste?

Answer 29

Response with receptor cells of taste bud.

Question 30

How many olfactory receptors are there?

Answer 30

Approximately 20 million.

Question 31

What is the main factor for detecting smell?

Answer 31

Substance needs to be volatile and partially soluble in mucus.