Olfactory System Flashcards
Olfactory mucosa of nose
Where receptor cells are embedded
Humans have ….
1000 different kinds of receptor cells
Same kinds of reportorial cells…
Project to similar areas of olfactory bulb
Olfactory glomeruli
Clusters of neurons near the surface of olfactory bulb
Olfactory tract…
Projects or several structures of medial temporal lobes (amygdala and prirform)
-does not first pass through thalamus
^ only sensory system passes first through thalamus
Nose as sex organ
Can distinguish clothing worn by family members vs strangers
Odor may influence mate choice to avoid genetic inbreeding
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
Group of genes that contribute to functioning of immune system m
Males and females with different MHC systems will show preference toward each other
T shirt experiment and MHC
Women prefer odor of T shirts from men who have dissimilar MHC
Vomeronasal organ
Where pheromones are detected
Pheromones
Chemicals released by an animal that have physiological or behavioral effects on another animal of same species
Cause autonomic changes. (Ex Increased sweat gland activity)
Odors will activate…
Olfactory receptor neurons but not VMO receptors
Pheromones will activate…
VMO receptors but not olfactory receptor neurons
Evidence for pheromones in humans
- Menstrual synchrony and college dormitory effect
^ women dabbed pad on upper lip word by other women
^ recipient women became synchronized with cycles of donor women
^ women treated with pads from males led to a more regular length cycle
Pheromones and sexual attractiveness
Males rated attractiveness of women’s photographs and recorded voices
^ higher ratings when sniffling inhalers contained pheromones (copulins)
^ increased sexual activity with a partner when using aftershave with suspected pheromone (in diff in masturbation)
