Olfactory system Flashcards
1
Q
How does the olfactory system detect smell?
A
Detects chemical stimuli from the air as various smells, Each odorant is recognized by a unique combination of receptors. Chemicals induce activation of a pattern of olfactory receptors, so each type of “smell” is really from many different chemicals.
2
Q
What is special with the olfactory receptors?
A
Bipolar, primary afferent neurons, found in the posterior - superior part of the nasal cavity
3
Q
Olfactory pathway
A
Olfactory bulb - piriform cortex - olfactory tubercle - amygdala - entorhinal cortex (limbic system)
4
Q
Mechanism of smell
A
400 types of smell receptors
Odorant - G;olf - Gs - Adenylyl cyclase activation - cAMP increases - activation of cation channel - cations depolarize the membrane/axon
