Physiology of Smell
- Occurs in the olfactory epithelium (located at the roof of the nasal).
- Olfactory receptor cells are bipolar neurons
o Dendrites act as hairlike cilia
- An action potential is initiated when the olfactory hairs react with the molecules from the inhaled vapor
o Molecules first dissolve in the mucus covering the cilia
- The action potential is sent down the axons of the olfactory receptor cells to the olfactory tract
o There, they synapse with the sensory neuron
Other physiology
- Basal cells: constantly divide and create new olfactory receptor cells
o This is unusual, most other nerve cells cannot be replaced
- Olfactory glands: produces the mucus that lines the epithelium and are located in the connective tissue above the epithelium
- Olfactory receptor cells are bipolar neurons
o Dendrites act as hairlike cilia
- An action potential is initiated when the olfactory hairs react with the molecules from the inhaled vapor
o Molecules first dissolve in the mucus covering the cilia
- The action potential is sent down the axons of the olfactory receptor cells to the olfactory tract
o There, they synapse with the sensory neuron
Other physiology
- Basal cells: constantly divide and create new olfactory receptor cells
o This is unusual, most other nerve cells cannot be replaced
- Olfactory glands: produces the mucus that lines the epithelium and are located in the connective tissue above the epithelium