Taste and Smell

amygdala

A subcortical structure that is involved in emotional responding and in processing olfactory signals.

Chemotropic map

The pattern of activation in the olfactory system in which chemicals with different properties create a “map” of activation based on these properties. For example, there is evidence that chemicals are mapped in the olfactory bulb based on carbon-chain length. Also called odor map.

Flavour

the perception that occurs from the combination of tatse and olfaction

Glomeruli

mall structures in the olfactory bulb that receive signals from similar olfactory receptor neurons. One function of each glomerulus is to collect information about a small group of odorants.

Mitral cell

a neuron in the olfactory bulb that receives signals from olfactory receptors and relay them to the brain. there are about 50,000 mitral cell in the human olfactory bulb

odorant

A molecule that is defined by its physicochemical characteristics, which are capable of being translated by the nervous system into the perception of smell. For example, “You were given the odorant methyl salicylate to smell, which has the odor of wintergreen mint.”

olfactory bulb

The structure that receives signals directly from the olfactory receptors. The olfactory bulb contains glomeruli, which receive these signals from the receptors.

olfactory epithelium

the region inside the nose that contains the receptors for the sense of smell

olfactory receptors

A protein string that responds to odor stimuli. Different olfactory receptor neurons are equipped with different olfactory receptors.

oral capture

The condition in which sensation from both olfaction and taste are perceived being located in the mouth.

papillae

Ridges and valleys on the tongue, some of which contain taste buds. There are three types of papillae: fungiform, foliate, and circumvallate.

population coding

A general principle of sensory processing, according to which different values of perceptual attribute are coded by different patterns of activity in a whole population of neurons.

recognition profile

The pattern of olfactory activation for an odorant, indicating which olfactory receptor neurons are activated by the odorant.

retronasal profile

The opening from the oral cavity, through the nasal pharynx, into the nasal cavity. This route is the basis for the way smell combines with taste to create flavor.

tastant

any stimulus that can be tasted

taste bud

a structure located within papillae on the tongue that contains taste buds

taste cells

Cells located in taste buds that cause the transduction of chemical or electrical energy when chemicals contact receptor sites or channels located at the tip of this cell.

taste pore

An opening in the taste bud through which the tips of taste sells protrude. When chemicals enter a taste pore, they stimulate the taste cells and result in transduction.