Special Senses

Question 1

What receptors are responsible for gustation and olfaction?

Answer 1

chemorecptors

Question 2

What are the 2 cell types of gustation?

Answer 2

gustatory receptor cells

basal cells

Question 3

Role of gustatory hairs

Answer 3

contain dissolved molecules that stimulate taste

Question 4

Cells in taste buds are replaced every __________

Answer 4

7-10 days

Question 5

What are the 5 basic qualities of taste?

Answer 5

sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami

Question 6

What is umami elicited by?

Answer 6

glutamate

Question 7

What are tastants?

Answer 7

chemicals that stimulate gustatory receptors

Question 8

How does taste info reach the cerebral cortex?

Answer 8

• impulses transmitted to thalamus and gustatory area of cerebral cortex in the insula
• some axons go to limbic system to trigger emotional response

Question 9

Epithelium and cells of olfaction

Answer 9

pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

supporting cells- support and nourish
basal cells- form new receptors monthly
olfactory gland- secretes mucus

Question 10

Role of olfactory cilia?

Answer 10

act as receptive structures for smell by binding to odorants

Question 11

Where do axons of olfaction pass?

Answer 11

• gather into bundles
• pass through ethmoid bone
• enters olfactory bulb and synapses with mitral cells

Question 12

role of limbic system in olfaction?

Answer 12

allows smells to trigger emotion

Question 13

Role of piriform lobe of cerebral cortex in olfaction?

Answer 13

conscious perception of odour

Question 14

What are the only sensations that reach the cerebral cortex without first synapsing with thalamus?

Answer 14

olfactory sensations

Question 15

Is olfaction more sensitive that gustation?

Answer 15

Yes

Question 16

Anosmia

Answer 16

absence of smell resulting from…

• injury (tearing of olfactory nerves)
• colds and allergies (excess mucus)
• polyps (blockage)
• zinc deficiency (receptor cell death)