Olfaction and Gustation Flashcards
olfaction
the sense of smell
pheromone
molecule used for chemical communication, mate attraction and flighting
released by one animal and causes an innate response in another when detected by the olfactory sense
nasal passage
the opening in the nose that allows for airflow
olfactory epithelium
specialized tissue in the nasal passage that contains olfactory sensory receptors and their supporting cells
cribriform plate
the bone that separates the olfactory epithelium from the olfactory bulb
it contains holes that allow axons of sensory molecules to pass through
olfactory bulb
part of the brain that receives signals from olfactory receptors and sends that information to other parts of the brain to be processed
glomerulus (olfaction)
location in the olfactory bulb where the axons of receptor cells sensitive to the same molecule synapse with mitral or tufted cells
mitral/tufted cells
types of cells located in the olfactory bulb that receive signals from olfactory receptors and pass them to a different part of the brain, likely the amygdala
amygdala
the part of the brain that is largely responsible for the processing of emotions, especially anger
G-protein coupled receptor
type of transmembrane receptor that activates an internal cascade response when its ligand is bound
type of receptor used in the olfactory system and gustatory system for sweet, umami, and bitter tastes
vomeronasal system
division of the olfactory sense that responds to pheromones
it consists of sensory receptors that send signals to glomeruli in the accessory olfactory bulb and causes hormonal responses
accessory olfactory epithelium
portion of the olfactory epithelium that is sensitive to pheromones and sends signals to the accessory olfactory bulb
basal cell in vomeronasal system
this type of receptor cell is found at the bottom of the accessory olfactory epithelium and is sensitive to specific pheromones
it sends axons to the accessory olfactory bulb
apical cell in vomeronasal system
this type of receptor cell is found at the top of the accessory olfactory epithelium and is sensitive to specific pheromones
it sends axons to the accessory olfactory bulb
accessory olfactory bulb
part of the olfactory bulb that receives signals from the accessory olfactory epithelium as a part of the vomeronasal system
gustation
the sensation of taste
five main tastes
main groups of compounds we can detect with the gustatory sense
bitter, salty, sweet, sour, and umami
umami
one of the five main tastes
ability to detect and taste glutamate
taste bud
group of cells on the tongue that are sensitive to each of the five main tastes
include filiform, fungiform, foliate, and circumvallate
fungiform taste buds
a type of taste bud found mostly at the tip of the tongue
foliate taste buds
type of taste bud found mostly on the sides of the tongue
circumvallate taste buds
type of taste bud found mostly at the back of the tongue
gustatory cortex
part of the brain that receives signals from taste buds
it has separate sections for each of the five main tastes
labelled lines model
the idea that receptors in the gustatory system respond to only one of the five main tastes and that these signals remain separate when processed in the gustatory cortex
ion channel
type of transmembrane receptor that allows the flow of ions when activated and opened by its ligand
it is the type of receptor for sour and salty tastes
states of consciousness
varying levels of awareness
alertness
the state of being awake and aware of things going on
daydreaming
a state of consciousness that is less aware or focused on surroundings, happens naturally or through light meditation
drowsiness
a state of consciousness that is somewhat aware of surroundings but is nearly asleep, happens while falling asleep, waking up and through deep meditation
sleep
a state of consciousness that is completely unaware of the surroundings
electroencephalogram (EEG)
machine capable of measuring neural oscillations of the brain
neural oscillations
rhythmic patterns of firing, also known as brain waves
beta wave
high frequency brain wave associated with alertness and concentration
alpha wave
middle frequency brain wave associated with daydreaming and light meditation
theta wave
low frequency brain wave that is associated with the onset of sleep
delta wave
lowest frequency brain wave that is associated with deep sleep
non-rapid eye movement sleep
the three dreamless stages of sleep
N1
stage of sleep experienced when first falling asleep, characterized by theta waves
hypnagogic hallucinations
an imagined sensation during the first stage of sleep N1
hypnic jerks
falling sensation during the first stage of sleep N1 that causes sudden awakening
N2
stage of sleep characterized by more theta waves than the first stage as well as k-complexes and sleep spindles
k-complex
high amplitude brain wave in the second stage of sleep N2 that helps to keep the person asleep and helps with memory consolidation
sleep spindles
bursts of brain activity in the second stage of sleep N2 that help the person maintain a tranquil state
N3
the deepest stage of sleep, characterized by slow delta waves
stage when sleepwalking and talking occur
rapid eye movement (REM sleep)
stage of sleep when dreaming occurs, muscles are paralyzed and eyes move quickly
characterized by brain waves similar to being awake
circadian rhythms
natural physiological fluctuations that occur on a 24-hour cycle
controlled endogenously and influenced by external light sources
Freud’ theory of dreaming
the idea that dreams are unconscious thoughts or wishes
manifest content
the storyline or literal subject matter of a dream
latent content
the meaning and unconscious wishes that underlie the actions and events of dreams
activation-synthesis hypothesis
the idea that dreams are the result of the cerebral cortex trying to find meaning in the random firing of the brainstem that occurs during sleep
sleep deprivation
lack of sleep that can contribute to depression or obesity in the long-term
insomnia
sleep disorder characterized by having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep for three or more days a week for at least 3 months
narcolepsy
sleep disorder characterized by an inability to control when sleep occurs, excessive daytime drowsiness, and sleep attacks
sleep apnea
sleep disorder characterized by repeated disruption of breathing while sleeping that causes the person to wake up and prevents slow wave sleep
obstructive sleep apnea
breathing is disrupted due to the physical blocking of airways
polysomnography
sleep study that records brain waves and is used to detect and diagnose sleep disorders
central sleep apnea
breathing is disrupted while sleeping due to malfunctions of the respiratory centers of the brain
Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
abnormal pattern of rapid breathing followed by brief cessations of breathing that occurs during sleep
example of central sleep apnea
sleep associated hypoventilation
abnormally slow breathing during sleep that results in low oxygen levels and a buildup of carbon dioxide
sleepwalking and sleeptalking
sleep disorders that occur during the N3 stage of sleep when the muscles are not paralyzed and the person can act out daytime activities
induced states of consciousness
deviation from normal levels of alertness due to hypnosis, meditation, or drugs
hypnosis
induced state of consciousness where people are more open to suggestion, characterized by alpha waves
meditation
induced state of consciousness in which people self-regulation attention, characterized by alpha waves and occasionally theta waves
