Senses 5-6

Question 1

Are olfactory receptor cells neurons or epithelial derived?

Describe these cells

Answer 1

Olfactory receptor cells are Neurons
4-8 week cycle of regeneration
Located in the Olfactory Epithelium in the roof the of nasal cavity.

Question 2

Describe the olfactory epithelia

Answer 2

Olfactory epithelia contains sensory neurons that detect >400,000 substances

Question 3

Describe odor binding

Answer 3

Chemical odorants dissolve in the water-based mucus layer, bind to receptors within the membrane of receptor cilia of the olfactory neuron
*These G proteins associated w/adenylyl cyclase produces cGMP
*cGMP opens channel for influx of Na+ & Ca++ (depolarization)
=Action potential

Question 4

Olfactory receptors’ axons pathway

Answer 4

Axons from the olfactory sensory neurons synapse w/neurons in the olfactory bulb to the olfactory cortex.
2 pathways:
*frontal lobe for interpretation
*Limbic Sys for emotional ressponse