bio sci 35 senses - olfaction (smell)

yup

olfaction

sense of smell; olfactory nerves detect chemical odorants known as ligands

1st step of olfaction

olfactory cells have olfactory receptors (proteins) that take in odors

2nd step of olfaction

olfactory nerves are activated and send generate sensory signals

3rd step of olfaction

signals are sent to the olfactory bulb

anosmia

loss of smell; common after whiplash since delicate olfactory nerves entering vertically through the cribform plate are severed

True/False: an odor activates a specific combination of receptors

true

True/False: an odor can activate multiple receptors at once

true

True/False: different odorants can activate the same receptors

true

True'/False: some odorants can activate a combination of one receptor

true

True/False: a specific combination of odorants activates a particular receptor

false

chemotopic map

tonographic organization for olfactory sense; structurally similar odorants stimulate overlapping but distinct domains in the olfactory bulb

smelling odor step 1

odor molecules activate combination of receptors

smelling odor step 2

olfactory sensory neurons are activated

smelling odor step 3

olfactory sensory neurons activate a specific region of the olfactory bulb that is is responsible for detecting chemicals structurally similar to the odor molecule sensed

capsaicin

active ingredient in chili peppers and pepper spray (contributes to spicy flavor/smell)

how is capsaicin nonpolar?

made up of hydrocarbon chains; causes the chemical to be hydrophobic ie. not dissolve well in polar solutions like water

which container between oil infused with chilli peppers and water infused with chili peppers would be more spicy and why?

oil infused with chili peppers; oil is a nonpolar solution meaning the molecules in the peppers would be more attracted to the oil molecules and fuse with them, while the pepper molecules would try to stay away from the polar water solution molecules

nocieption

the ability to feel pain; caused by stimulation of a nociceptor 

what happens when capsaicin binds TRPV1?

receptors will respond to heat and produce burning pain sensations; gated by temperature and various chemical ligands

agonist

drug that mimics endogenous ligand and activates receptors, which enhances the activation/effect of endogenous ligand

antagonist

drug that blocks endogenous ligand/agonists from activating receptors, which inhibits their activation/effect