Olfaction

Question 1

What are Odorants? How many different types of odors?

Answer 1

volatile substances that activate olfactory receptors

400 types of odorants

10 000+ different types of
odors -> one odorant can activate multiple receptors

Question 2

What are Olfactory Receptor Cells?

Answer 2

located in the olfactory epithelium (tissue of the nose)

• Express one type of receptors • Synapse in glomeruli (process
one type of cell meaning one type of odour)

Question 3

Where in the brain does Olfactory information go?

Answer 3

Only sensory information that does NOT go through the thalamus

Go the primary olfactory cortex in temporal lobe + amygdala

Question 4

What are Pheromones?

Answer 4

Chemical released by one animal that affects behaviour of another animal (can signal attraction, danger, etc…

▪ Can be inherently good or bad

Question 5

What does the Vomeronasal Organ do?

Answer 5

Process pheromones.
▪ Activated by sniffing of mouth/anogenital region ▪ Contain metabotropic vomeronasal receptors
▪ Not present in humans, apes & birds

Question 6

What does the Accessory Olfactory Bulb do?

Answer 6

Necessary for the effects of pheromones

Question 7

What is the Lee-Boot Effect? (Pheromones)

Answer 7

Female mice without male urine present -> slowing down/stopping of estrous cycle

Question 8

What is the Whitten Effect? (Pheromones)

Answer 8

Female mice with male urine present -> synchronisation of cycles

Question 9

What is the Vandenbergh Effect? (Pheromones)

Answer 9

Female mice with male urine present -> earlier onset of puberty

Question 10

What is the Bruce Effect? (Pheromones)

Answer 10

Unfamiliar male scent -> termination of pregnancy